Jan Van Eck argues that current volatility isn't just about Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) but reflects a broader move across the entire crypto ecosystem, including large-cap names like Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) and Circle (NYSE:CRCL).
Why 2026 Is A Bearish Year For Bitcoin
Speaking on CNBC on Monday, Van Eck said geopolitical tensions involving Iran are prompting crypto users to think more seriously about how capital moves globally, particularly as crypto-friendly hubs like Dubai gain importance.
Addressing concerns that stablecoins could make Bitcoin less relevant, especially with BTC still roughly 50% below its October highs, Van Eck highlighted two enduring fundamentals:
- Bitcoin's fixed supply
- Its four-year halving cycle
He described 2026 as the fourth year of Bitcoin's historical cycle, which has typically been a bearish year following three years of gains. Under this framework, sharp corrections are a normal and healthy part of the cycle.
In his view, Bitcoin is approaching a cyclical bottom, a reset that could lay the groundwork for the next long-term expansion phase.
Stablecoins Are Crypto's Next Evolution
Van Eck framed stablecoins not as a threat, but as the next phase of crypto's evolution.
He suggested 2026 could usher in "corporate blockchain wars," as major financial institutions choose their transaction infrastructure, whether open decentralized networks like Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), or private, permissioned blockchains built by corporations such as JPMorgan Chase, Coinbase, or Circle.
According to Van Eck, corporations are drawn to blockchain for 24/7 transaction visibility, transparency, and cross-collateralization, but they want control.
Meanwhile, crypto-native users resist being locked into closed, corporate-run systems.
That tension is at the heart of today's stablecoin battle.
Notably, Circle's stock has surged 55% in a week, underscoring strong investor appetite for this theme.
In Van Eck's view, stablecoins don't make Bitcoin obsolete, they expand the ecosystem.
And if the historical cycle holds, the current weakness may ultimately prove to be a sign of structural strength rather than decline.
Image: Shutterstock
