Bitcoin Bulls Target 2026 Amid AI Market Risk, Says Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has highlighted a potential AI bubble as the primary macroeconomic threat to Bitcoin’s market performance in 2026, even as optimism grows among long-term investors. Speaking on the Bitcoin Capital podcast, Ardoino warned that excessive speculation and capital inflows into artificial intelligence companies could result in a sharp correction in U.S. equities a move that could impact Bitcoin due to its ongoing correlation with traditional financial markets.
Despite this concern, Ardoino struck a bullish tone on Bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals. He downplayed the likelihood of extreme drawdowns like the 80% crashes seen in past cycles, noting that Bitcoin’s ownership is evolving. With pension funds, governments, and long-term institutional investors increasing their exposure, the asset’s volatility is expected to decrease over time.
Ardoino also expressed strong support for the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), calling it a transformative trend that could further embed digital assets into mainstream finance. He argued that tokenized treasuries, commodities, and securities are becoming crucial use cases for blockchain technology.
However, he was critical of Europe’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) framework, suggesting it could stifle innovation rather than enable it. Ardoino also cautioned against overhyping crypto treasury firms, stating that successful players in the space must operate real, revenue-generating businesses, not just speculative balance sheets.
As 2026 approaches, Bitcoin bulls remain focused on structural growth in adoption and utility, even while keeping an eye on macroeconomic vulnerabilities. The narrative, increasingly, is one of Bitcoin transitioning from a speculative asset to infrastructure-level finance albeit one still sensitive to global market dynamics.
