In a recent interview, Ric Edelman, founder of Edelman Financial Engines, expressed strong optimism for Bitcoin and Ethereum, predicting significant price increases in 2026. Edelman, who oversees a staggering $287 billion for around 1.3 million clients, stated he expects the two cryptocurrencies to rise between 50% and 100% next year. Should the upper range of his prediction hold true, Bitcoin could surge to approximately $180,000, while Ethereum could reach $6,600.
Edelman’s bullish forecast comes in the wake of a challenging 2025 for the crypto market, where price gains were hampered by liquidation events involving major holders. He pointed out that early adopters, who bought into Bitcoin and Ethereum at much lower prices, capitalized on the assets’ ascent toward the six-figure mark. This selling pressure was more substantial than many market observers had anticipated, creating an environment where both cryptocurrencies struggled to maintain momentum.
Matt Hougan, the Chief Investment Officer of Bitwise, echoed this sentiment, noting that he and his team were caught off guard by the magnitude of selling that occurred at the $100,000 threshold. Despite this, he maintained a bullish price target of $200,000 for Bitcoin in 2026.
The market faced an additional setback on October 10, when a liquidation event resulted in the elimination of nearly $19 billion in leveraged positions within a single day. This drastic market correction put further downward pressure on both Bitcoin and Ethereum, leading to a prolonged period of instability. However, Edelman pointed out that sustained demand from digital asset treasuries and buying activity from exchange-traded funds helped stabilize prices during this tumultuous phase.
Edelman is not new to making bold predictions in the crypto space. In 2021, he advised conservative investors to allocate 1% of their portfolios to digital assets. By mid-2025, he raised the stakes dramatically, suggesting that conservative investors should consider a 10% allocation, while moderate and aggressive investors might look at 25% and 40%, respectively. His assertion that 40% was a reasonable allocation for aggressive investors generated significant buzz, especially as Bitcoin was priced above $100,000 at the time.
Although prices have since dipped to around $92,000, Edelman remains undeterred, believing that the market is set for a recovery in the form of a sharp rally in 2026. As traditional finance advisors become more bullish on digital assets, Edelman’s insights could play a crucial role in shaping the cryptocurrency investment strategies of many everyday investors moving forward.
