Bitcoin to $50,000 Bloomberg Strategist Sounds Alarm as Gold Steals the Spotlight in 2026

Bitcoin Faces Fresh Crash Fears as Gold’s Rally Strengthens in 2026

Bitcoin is once again under pressure, and a prominent Wall Street voice believes the worst may not be over. Bloomberg’s senior commodity strategist Mike McGlone has issued a stark warning, predicting that Bitcoin could plunge to $50,000 in 2026 if market conditions turn unfavorable. At the same time, gold continues to surge, reinforcing its status as a preferred safe-haven asset in uncertain times.

With Bitcoin liquidity thinning and investor capital flowing into traditional assets, the contrast between digital gold and real gold has never been more striking.

Mike McGlone’s Bearish Bitcoin Outlook Explained

Why $50,000 Is Back on the Table

In a recent post on X, Mike McGlone said Bitcoin could revisit the $50,000 level this year. His view comes as Bitcoin struggles to regain momentum, slipping below $90,000 once again amid persistent selling pressure.

McGlone noted that Bitcoin’s fate may depend heavily on broader equity markets. If stock markets remain stable, Bitcoin could avoid a deeper correction. However, any increase in volatility across equities could quickly spill over into risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

In his view, Bitcoin remains highly sensitive to shifts in investor sentiment and global liquidity conditions.

Gold’s Performance Sends a Warning Signal

One of McGlone’s strongest arguments centers on gold’s exceptional performance. After gaining roughly 60% in 2025, gold has extended its rally into 2026 with no clear signs of slowing down.

McGlone described gold’s recent run as its fastest alpha capture since 1979, suggesting investors are aggressively seeking safety and stability. Historically, such strong gold rallies have often coincided with weaker performance in speculative or high-risk assets.

For Bitcoin, this divergence could be a red flag.

Bitcoin’s Struggles Despite Supportive Macroeconomics

Falling Short Even After Rate Cuts

Bitcoin’s current weakness stands out because it comes during a relatively supportive macroeconomic environment. The U.S. Federal Reserve has cut interest rates to their lowest levels in three years, a move that typically benefits risk assets like cryptocurrencies.

Despite this, Bitcoin is trading nearly 30% below its all-time high of $126,000 set in October. The failure to sustain higher prices has raised concerns that the market may be entering a prolonged cooling phase.

A History of Sharper Warnings

This is not the first time McGlone has issued dire predictions for Bitcoin. In December, he warned that rising competition from other digital assets could lead to a massive crash, potentially as severe as 90%, sending Bitcoin toward $10,000 in an extreme scenario.

While such a drop may seem unlikely to many investors, his comments highlight growing skepticism around Bitcoin’s ability to dominate the digital asset space indefinitely.

Liquidity Dries Up as Capital Moves Elsewhere

CryptoQuant CEO Sees a Shift in Market Structure

CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju has echoed concerns about weakening Bitcoin liquidity. According to Ju, capital inflows into Bitcoin have slowed significantly, raising the possibility that the asset could enter a long consolidation phase.

Unlike previous market cycles, Bitcoin’s liquidity sources are now far more diversified. This makes sudden surges of capital less predictable and reduces the impact of traditional market timing strategies.

Ju believes this structural shift is changing how Bitcoin behaves during both bull and bear phases.

Institutional Holders Change the Game

Another key difference in this cycle is the role of long-term institutional holders. Ju explained that these participants have disrupted the classic pattern in which large whales sell to retail investors near market tops.

Many institutions now view Bitcoin as a long-term strategic holding rather than a speculative trade. As a result, they are less likely to sell aggressively during downturns.

Bitcoin treasury firms such as Strategy are also expected to hold onto their reserves, reducing the risk of panic-driven liquidations.

Why a 50% Crash May Still Be Avoided

A More Mature Bitcoin Market

Despite his cautious outlook, Ju does not expect Bitcoin to experience the kind of brutal drawdowns seen in earlier bear markets. He believes a decline of more than 50% from all-time highs is unlikely this time around.

This is largely due to stronger institutional participation, improved custody solutions, and a broader understanding of Bitcoin as a long-term asset.

Still, a prolonged period of sideways movement or gradual decline remains a real possibility.

Capital Flows Favor Gold and Equities

While Bitcoin liquidity weakens, capital is flowing into other markets. Ju noted that investors are increasingly favoring equities and commodities, particularly precious metals such as gold and silver.

This shift reflects a broader risk-off mindset, where investors prioritize stability and income over high volatility and speculative growth.

Gold Continues to Shine in 2026

Safe-Haven Demand Accelerates

Gold’s rally has been one of the most consistent trends carrying over from 2025 into 2026. Strong demand from central banks, geopolitical uncertainty, and inflation concerns have all contributed to its strength.

For many investors, gold offers what Bitcoin currently cannot: predictability during periods of uncertainty.

As long as macroeconomic risks remain elevated, gold’s upward momentum may continue to siphon capital away from crypto markets.

Bitcoin Hyper Gains Momentum Amid Market Uncertainty

Layer-2 Project Attracts Major Investor Interest

While Bitcoin itself struggles, innovation within the ecosystem continues. Bitcoin Hyper, a Layer-2 scalability platform, has crossed $30.2 million in presale funding, signaling strong investor interest.

The project aims to address Bitcoin’s long-standing issues with speed and transaction costs while remaining fully integrated with the main Bitcoin network.

By reducing congestion and fees, Bitcoin Hyper could make Bitcoin more practical for everyday use.

What Makes Bitcoin Hyper Stand Out

Bitcoin Hyper is designed to support decentralized finance applications, opening new opportunities for developers and users alike.

Key details include:

• Ticker: HYPER
• Token price: $0.13545
• Funds raised: $30.266 million

Supporters believe the platform could help reignite growth within the Bitcoin ecosystem, even if the asset’s price remains under pressure.

What Investors Should Watch Next

Key Factors That Could Shape Bitcoin’s Future

Several developments will be critical in determining whether Bitcoin slides toward $50,000 or stabilizes:

• Equity market volatility
• Continued strength or weakness in gold
• Institutional buying or selling trends
• Regulatory clarity around crypto markets

Any major shock to global markets could accelerate downside risks, while renewed liquidity could help Bitcoin regain its footing.

Final Thoughts

The contrast between Bitcoin and gold in 2026 tells a powerful story. As gold extends its historic rally, Bitcoin faces growing skepticism from seasoned market observers like Mike McGlone. Slowing liquidity, changing investor behavior, and fierce competition within the digital asset space are all weighing on Bitcoin’s outlook.

While a complete collapse may be unlikely, a move toward $50,000 is no longer an unthinkable scenario. At the same time, projects like Bitcoin Hyper show that innovation within the ecosystem remains alive and well.

For investors, the months ahead may test conviction, patience, and risk tolerance more than ever.