Opinion
|3 min ReadInstitutions Turn Positive on Bitcoin as 2026 Nears
Maya Chen
Senior Analyst
Published
Jan 16, 2026
Institutions Tilt Bullish Into 2026
Around two thirds of institutional investors see a constructive path for Bitcoin over the next three to six months, according to Coinbase. “Most respondents are bullish on Bitcoin,” wrote David Duong, head of research at Coinbase Institutional, in a research report titled “Navigating Uncertainty” (PDF).
Coinbase surveyed 124 institutional investors. It found that 67 percent hold a positive outlook for Bitcoin into early 2026. Views on the cycle diverge. Forty five percent of institutions say we are in the late stages of the bull run. Only 27 percent of non-institutions agree with that.
Treasuries Are Buying the Dip
“Looking at the supply/demand picture, it’s hard to overstate the impact that digital asset treasury companies have had on markets this year,” Duong wrote.
BitMine, chaired by Tom Lee, has been among the firms buying the dip, acquiring more than 379,000 Ether worth almost 4,000. Meanwhile, Michael Saylor hinted on Sunday that Strategy may buy more Bitcoin after sharing a chart showing $69 billion in BTC holdings. Even with equity pullbacks, DAT crypto reserves remain intact, signaling long term conviction.
Room to Run, With Caution
Duong said the bull market “has room to run,” though he struck a more cautious tone after the events of Oct. 10. “We still see resilient liquidity conditions, a strong macro backdrop, and supportive regulatory dynamics.”
Coinbase pointed to macro and liquidity tailwinds that could drive markets in Q4. It cited two more expected Federal Reserve rate cuts and large money-market funds sitting on the sidelines. “Additional rate cuts from the Fed, as well as greater fiscal and monetary stimulus in China, could incentivize more investors to come off the sidelines,” the firm wrote.
The setup looks particularly favorable for Bitcoin, Coinbase said, while it takes a more careful approach to positioning in altcoins. Over the weekend, Bitcoin topped 108,000 level, and Ether briefly climbed above $4,000. There have been no major attempts at recovery yet, and sentiment remains cautious.
Disclaimer: This document is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this document are not, and should not be taken as, investment advice or recommendations. Recipients should do their own due diligence, taking into account their specific financial circumstances, investment objectives and risk tolerance, which are not considered here, before investing. This document is not an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any of the assets mentioned.