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Bitcoin Price Prediction: Raoul Pal’s 5-Year Cycle Theory Pushes Peak to 2026

Published by
Zafar Naik and Qadir AK

Bitcoin fell 40% while global liquidity went up. Gold rallied. M2 money supply climbed. BTC broke down below $100,000. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

Macro analyst Raoul Pal says the bull market isn’t dead, just delayed. According to a breakdown by analyst Nathan Sloan, Pal argues crypto’s 4-year cycle has stretched into a 5-year cycle, pushing the real peak to 2026.

Because of this, there won’t be a crypto winter this year, but a delayed mega-boom instead.

Why Bitcoin Stopped Following Liquidity

Bitcoin and global M2 have moved together for years. When liquidity rises, BTC rises. The 2020-2021 bull run followed this pattern closely.

This cycle broke that trend. M2 went up. Bitcoin went sideways, then down. Investors expecting $200,000 watched BTC slide instead.

“Everyone was expecting super super highs. We got the absolute opposite,” Sloan noted.

The Fed Pushed the Timeline Back

US government debt keeps growing. Interest payments are getting harder to manage. The government needs lower rates to refinance.

But Jerome Powell kept rates high to fight inflation. That delayed the cheap money that usually drives crypto higher.

Bitcoin follows the business cycle. When that cycle stretches, so does crypto’s timeline. The 2025 peak many expected may now arrive in 2026.

Short-Term Crash, Long-Term Boom

Short-term pain and long-term gains can happen together.

In 2019, the Fed ended tightening and started easing. Bitcoin still dropped for six more months before turning around. Liquidity takes time to hit markets.

If that pattern repeats, another 50% drop is possible before the bottom. But once liquidity flows through, the rally could be sharp.

Altcoin season is still expected. It just follows Bitcoin’s lead, so it waits too.

What Comes Next

The next few months matter. A new Fed chair is expected to cut rates. That shift could restart the liquidity engine.

Sloan says Pal’s thesis should get confirmed or rejected by the end of Q1. If the theory holds, the crypto rally was never canceled, just pushed back.

FAQs

What is Bitcoin’s price prediction for January 2026?

Analysts suggest Bitcoin could peak in 2026, potentially above $200,000, if liquidity flows and macro conditions align with the delayed bull market cycle.

What are the biggest risks to Bitcoin’s price in 2026?

Major risks include global recessions, tighter crypto regulations, declining liquidity, or a sustained breakdown below key support levels.

How much will BTC be worth in 2030?

Bitcoin price forecasts for 2030 range from $380K to $900K, driven by scarcity, long-term adoption, and expanding institutional participation.

Is Bitcoin still a good hedge against inflation in the long term?

Bitcoin’s fixed supply makes it attractive as an inflation hedge, especially during currency debasement and long-term economic uncertainty.

Zafar Naik and Qadir AK

Zafar is a seasoned crypto and blockchain news writer with four years of experience. Known for accuracy, in-depth analysis, and a clear, engaging style, Zafar actively participates in blockchain communities. Beyond writing, Zafar enjoys trading and exploring the latest trends in the crypto market.

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