Swan Bitcoin CEO Predicts New All-Time High Above $125K in 2026

In a December 26 CNBC interview, Swan Bitcoin CEO Cory Klippsten offered a bullish outlook for Bitcoin heading into 2026. With BTC trading in a tight range between $85,000 and $91,000 over recent weeks, Klippsten characterized the movement as consolidation rather than weakness.

"This time feels different," Klippsten stated. "We didn't see the kind of astronomical price surge in 2025 that past halving-driven cycles would suggest. And because of that, it's hard to imagine a steep collapse from here."

The Swan CEO estimates there is greater than 50% probability Bitcoin will exceed $125,000 and set a new all-time high in 2026.

Klippsten argues the traditional four-year Bitcoin cycle may be losing relevance as institutional adoption transforms market dynamics. With more supply flowing into ETFs, corporate treasuries, family offices, and sovereign-adjacent capital pools, Bitcoin is behaving less like a retail-traded asset.

"Bitcoin tends to be a one-way motion," he explained. "People generally don't enter Bitcoin and then exit completely. They usually stay and adjust how much they buy."

The absence of an overheated rally in 2025 reduces the likelihood of a sharp downturn, according to Klippsten, creating a healthier market structure for sustained appreciation.

Klippsten points to institutional and government participation as key drivers for 2026. As more long-term holders accumulate and supply becomes less liquid, the market may see reduced volatility and steadier price gains. Investors should monitor ETF flow data and corporate treasury announcements for signals of continued accumulation.