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An internal strategy document attributed to Fundstrat Global Advisors projects a bearish outlook for major cryptocurrencies in early 2026. According to Cointelegraph, the circulating report warns of a meaningful drawdown during the first half of next year. The document sets specific downside targets for Bitcoin at $60,000 to $65,000, Ether at $1,800 to $2,000, and Solana at $50 to $75. Screenshots of the report were shared on social media platform X by crypto-focused accounts including Wu Blockchain. The material has not been publicly released by Fundstrat and its authenticity remains unconfirmed. The report was apparently written by Sean Farrell, head of digital asset strategy at the firm. Multiple accounts claim the document was distributed to internal clients. Fundstrat did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication. This projection sharply contrasts with recent public statements from Tom Lee, managing partner and head of research at Fundstrat. At Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai earlier this month, Lee predicted Bitcoin could reach $250,000 within months. He called Ether at around $3,000 grossly undervalued. Lee argued that if Ether returned to its eight-year average ratio against Bitcoin, prices could approach $12,000. Internal Division Reflects Market Uncertainty The divergence between Fundstrat's internal guidance and its managing partner's public optimism reveals the complexity of cryptocurrency price forecasting. This split within a single research firm demonstrates how different analytical approaches can produce widely varying conclusions. Institutional investors relying on research from the same firm now face competing narratives about digital asset prospects. We reported that institutional investors showed growing confidence with 83% planning to increase crypto allocations in 2025. Spot Bitcoin ETFs accumulated over $65 billion in assets under management by April 2025. The current market environment differs from previous cycles as professional investors now apply systematic risk management rather than emotional decisions. Lee's company BitMine continued aggressive Ether accumulation despite market weakness. The firm held nearly 3.9 million ETH as of December 7, after adding more than 138,000 ETH in one week. This represents over 3.2% of Ether's total supply. Such substantial accumulation suggests institutional conviction despite near-term bearish signals from internal analysis. Institutional Adoption Creates New Market Dynamics The conflicting forecasts arrive as institutional cryptocurrency adoption reaches new levels. According to Grayscale, 86% of institutional investors either own Bitcoin or plan to do so in 2026. Regulatory clarity has transformed uncertainty into opportunity while institutional-grade investment vehicles have democratized access to previously fragmented markets. Grayscale expects bipartisan crypto market structure legislation to become law in 2026. This will bring deeper integration between public blockchains and traditional finance. The firm anticipates Bitcoin's price will likely reach a new all-time high in the first half of the year. This projection aligns more closely with Tom Lee's public statements than with Fundstrat's internal bearish guidance. The institutional investment landscape shows both bullish and cautious signals. Standard Chartered and Bernstein analysts have forecasted Bitcoin could reach $150,000 in 2026. These projections are grounded in Bitcoin's growing adoption by pension funds, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds. Net inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have surged from $30 billion in early 2024 to nearly $125 billion by early 2026. However, skeptics note that market corrections remain possible. The Fundstrat internal report suggests potential buying opportunities could emerge later in 2026 following the projected drawdown. This approach reflects historical market cycles where significant pullbacks preceded new rallies. The document's focus on specific price levels indicates technical analysis combined with macroeconomic factors influenced the projections. The cryptocurrency market now operates with more institutional infrastructure than in previous cycles. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust and Fidelity's FBTC have attracted billions in assets. Corporate treasuries continue adding Bitcoin to balance sheets. This structural shift provides greater stability compared to retail-dominated earlier periods. Investors face the challenge of navigating competing forecasts from respected analysts. The Fundstrat situation illustrates how internal risk management strategies may differ from public market commentary. Understanding these dynamics helps market participants make more informed allocation decisions as 2026 approaches.

Key Takeaways XRP spot ETFs have seen daily inflows since launching. Total assets under management in XRP ETFs have reached $1.2 billion. Share this article US XRP exchange-traded funds have accumulated $1.2 billion in assets following an unbroken streak of daily inflows since their market debut, according to aggregated data from issuer websites and market trackers. Canary’s XRP ETF currently holds the top position with $335 million in assets under management. 21shares and Grayscale follow with over $250 million and $220 million, respectively, just ahead of funds managed by Bitwise and Franklin Templeton. These funds have collectively attracted $1 billion in net inflows, with 21shares leading the latest session at around $7 million. While XRP ETFs have seen strong launches, XRP’s price has lagged behind Bitcoin’s post-ETF performance. The asset is trading at about $1.9, down 9% over the past month, as market-wide volatility continues. Analysts have warned of a potential cooling period in the crypto market in 2026, which could add further pressure to XRP and other assets. Markus Thielen, the founder of 10x Research, has predicted that most non-Bitcoin crypto ETFs are unlikely to achieve lasting success, as institutional demand continues to center on Bitcoin. He said in a recent interview that Bitcoin’s role as “digital gold” resonates with investors, while altcoins such as XRP and Solana lack a compelling institutional narrative.

Fundstrat projects Bitcoin correction in 2026. Volatility affects Ethereum and altcoins in the short term. Declines reinforce the long-term thesis of cryptocurrencies. Recent Bitcoin volatility has reignited debates about the market's direction in 2026. While public discourse remains confident, internal analyses by Fundstrat indicate a scenario of more cautious adjustment at the beginning of next year, with the possibility of a significant price correction. Tom Lee, co-founder of the asset management firm, maintains a constructive outlook when speaking to the market, emphasizing that "This is a correction, not a collapse." This phrase summarizes the prevailing interpretation within the company, which does not see the movement as the beginning of a prolonged downturn, but as a readjustment within a maturing market. According to internal projectionsBitcoin could fall back to the $60 to $65 range in the first months of 2026. The central factor behind this expectation is the macroeconomic environment, marked by tighter liquidity, greater political uncertainty, and reduced appetite for risk assets. Related Stories Recent whales already concentrate half of the realized capital of Bitcoin. 20/12/2025 Repression in China brings down Bitcoin hashrate after cuts in Xinjiang. 18/12/2025 Another point of attention involves technical volatility. The concentrated expiration of Bitcoin and Ethereum options contracts tends to intensify price swings, amplifying short-term movements. In this context, Bitcoin usually absorbs the initial impact, serving as a barometer for the rest of the market. Caution isn't limited to the leading digital asset. Fundstrat also projects pressure on Ethereum, with prices potentially approaching the $2.000 region during the first half of 2026. Other cryptocurrencies with higher volatility, such as Solana, appear to be more sensitive should global financial conditions become even more restrictive. Despite this, the projected levels are not seen as destructive to the market. Internally, the asset manager interprets these ranges as reorganization points, where strategic positioning can improve after reduced volatility and price structure adjustments. The long-term thesis remains consistent. For Fundstrat, corrections are part of the trajectory of cyclical markets like cryptocurrencies and usually precede periods of more sustained growth. The expectation is that, after a more pressured start to the year, the second half of 2026 will present more stable conditions for a gradual recovery. Among investors, the interpretation has been pragmatic. The difference between the optimistic public tone and private caution is seen as common practice in financial institutions, balancing market confidence with risk management in a more balanced pricing environment. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author, or anyone mentioned in this article, are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment or other advice. Investing or trading cryptocurrencies carries a risk of financial loss. Tags: Bitcoin Tom Lee

Sean Farrell, Director of Crypto Strategy at Fundstrat, an investment firm led by Tom Lee, presented a cautious but long-term optimistic outlook for the cryptocurrency markets in his recently published “2026 Cryptocurrency Outlook” report. Farrell argued that a correction period, during which risks will be absorbed, could occur in the first half of 2026, creating more attractive entry levels for investors. According to Farrell, Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market in general retain strong upside potential in the long term. While supportive conditions stemming from liquidity are expected to come into play in 2026, some macroeconomic and market risks may put pressure on prices in the first and second quarters of the year. This period, he noted, could offer positioning opportunities, especially for long-term investors. Related News Founder of a Binance-Listed Altcoin Responds to the Claim That “Cryptocurrencies Are Dead” According to the baseline scenario presented in the report, there is a possibility of a significant pullback in the first half of 2026. Farrell predicted that Bitcoin could fall to the $60,000–$65,000 range, Ethereum to the $1,800–$2,000 range, and Solana to the $50–$75 levels. These levels could provide suitable buying opportunities before the expected recovery in the remainder of the year. If these predictions do not materialize, Farrell stated that he would prefer to maintain a defensive stance until clear signals of a strengthening trend are received. The report also included year-end expectations. According to Farrell, Bitcoin could reach approximately $115,000 by the end of 2026, while Ethereum has the potential to rise to $4,500. *This is not investment advice. Follow our Telegram and Twitter account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data!

Amid renewed discussions in the cryptocurrency markets about the “altcoin season,” Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has provided intriguing insights. While many investors still wonder when an altcoin rally will begin, Hayes argues that this season has been ongoing for quite some time. He emphasizes that investors often miss market opportunities because they remain fixated on past cycles. Contents The Risk of Clinging to Past Cycles The Stars of This Cycle and Opposing Views The Risk of Clinging to Past Cycles During a podcast, Hayes pointed out that the altcoin season isn’t confined to a specific date or period. According to him, there are always rising altcoins in the market, and those claiming there is no altcoin season share a common trait: the absence of appreciating assets in their portfolios. This perspective suggests a profound shift in how investors perceive the crypto markets. Arthur Hayes warns against the assumption that previous altcoin cycles will repeat exactly. Expecting previous high-performing projects and narratives to deliver the same results in new cycles can mislead investors. He contends that clinging to past experiences provides psychological comfort for investors, as they believe they know what worked before. Hayes stresses that making decisions based on past performances poses risks with the constant evolution of the crypto markets. He asserts, “This is a new season, and new things are rising,” highlighting the dangers of relying on past performances as a guide. Investors aiming for success should closely follow new trends, technologies, and diverse use cases. The Stars of This Cycle and Opposing Views Hayes identifies Hyperliquid as one of the standout narratives of the current cycle. He illustrates this by noting the project’s swift rise from a few dollars to $60, demonstrating an ongoing altcoin season. Similarly, Solana $132.93‘s resurgence from nearly $7 in 2022 to a peak of $300 this year is seen as part of an “invisible” altcoin season for those unwilling to participate. Nonetheless, not everyone in the industry shares Hayes’ views. CoinQuant CEO Maen Ftoui offers a different perspective, suggesting that capital will predominantly flow into established cryptocurrencies with ETF approvals or expectations of such support. He anticipates a more selective and regulation-focused altcoin season. Parallel to these discussions, Bitfinex analysts have also expressed their views. They believe that without the approval of ETFs encompassing assets beyond Bitcoin $90,357.50 and Ethereum $3,093.86, a broad and robust altcoin rally remains unlikely, indicating that market uncertainty could persist for a while longer. Recently, a similar debate emerged with Bitwise executives predicting 2026 as the “true year of the bull for crypto.” The Bitwise team believes the real surge will occur in the coming years due to institutional adoption and the introduction of new financial products.