Grayscale Forecasts Bitcoin's Surge to New All-Time High by March 2026

Anticipations for cryptocurrency performance in 2026 are optimistic, fueled by increased interest in alternative stores of value and clearer regulations.

Key Takeaways

Grayscale predicts Bitcoin will reach unprecedented highs by March 2026, driven by a supportive regulatory environment and weakening fiat currencies.
A bipartisan market structure bill is essential for enabling companies to issue tokens alongside traditional financial instruments.
Despite a poor performance in 2025, factors such as dollar weakness and Federal Reserve rate cuts are anticipated to boost Bitcoin’s price.
The growth of ETFs will provide wider access to cryptocurrency investments, and the market is expected to mature, shifting focus away from digital asset treasuries (DATs).

Grayscale's Head of Research, Zach Pandl, suggests that a more favorable regulatory framework will bolster the crypto sector. Additionally, the declining value of fiat currencies is expected to increase demand for Bitcoin. Together, these elements could propel Bitcoin’s price to unprecedented heights.

Bipartisan Market Structure Bill to Expedite Token Development

The cryptocurrency landscape has seen significant changes since 2008, with remarkable advancements particularly over the last year.

Key developments, such as the approval of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the adoption of the GENIUS Act, have helped bridge the divide between digital assets and conventional finance. However, there is still considerable work to be done.

Pandl emphasizes that the immediate priority is the passage of a bipartisan market structure bill. Following delays due to a government shutdown and political disagreements in 2025, he anticipates that the Senate will approve this legislation early in the year.

“It seems like we are on track for January or the first quarter,” Pandl mentioned during a CNBC interview. “Even if it doesn’t happen right away, bipartisan progress is crucial.”

In a recent communication, he shared updates from Chairmen @SenatorTimScott and @JohnBoozman, who confirmed that a markup for the proposed bill is expected in January. Thanks to their efforts and those of @RepFrenchHill and @CongressmanGT, we are closer than ever to passing this landmark crypto legislation.

Pandl believes that a bipartisan bill will allow companies, from startups to Fortune 500 giants, to issue tokens as a standard component of their capital structures, integrated with traditional financing tools. He also noted that favorable macroeconomic conditions would positively influence Bitcoin's price.

Favorable Circumstances for Bitcoin's Record High

Despite Bitcoin’s underwhelming performance during the latter half of 2025, Pandl forecasts a turnaround for the leading cryptocurrency this year. As per Grayscale’s 2026 digital asset outlook, the company predicts Bitcoin’s price will achieve a new all-time high in the first half of the year. Pandl identified several factors that could impact this trajectory.

Grayscale's comprehensive 2026 Digital Asset Outlook highlights ten themes marking what they term the "Dawn of the Institutional Era."

“We believe this year will see a depreciation of the dollar, potential rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, and overall strength in gold, silver, and, notably, Bitcoin, Ether, and other cryptocurrencies as fundamental digital stores of value. These trends will benefit from the ongoing macroeconomic environment,” he explained to CNBC.

The context, combined with the passage of the market structure bill, is expected to enhance the positive price outlook. The increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies will also accelerate the introduction of ETFs, granting investors broader access to various crypto assets.

As the cryptocurrency sector evolves, Pandl predicts that some narratives will fade into the background.

The Decline of Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs)

While digital asset treasuries (DATs) saw significant growth in 2025, Pandl does not foresee this trend continuing into the new year, deeming them a “red herring.”

He pointed to their accumulation model as a fundamental problem, explaining that DATs tend to buy infrequently, sell rarely, and generally trade close to their fair market value.

“They aren’t disappearing completely, as certain investors prefer accessing cryptocurrencies through public equity vehicles; however, they are unlikely to be major influences on market valuations in terms of buying or selling,” Pandl elaborated.

The focus is expected to shift towards drivers of value that encompass broader accessibility, enhanced usability, and offerings that effectively translate demand into market impact.