Not every crypto executive is calling for a moonshot. Bitget CEO Gracy Chen thinks Bitcoin will probably finish 2026 roughly where it sits today, pointing to interest rates and broader economic pressure as the forces most likely to keep prices in check.
Rates, Not Hype, Will Decide Bitcoin’s Path
Speaking on Cointelegraph’s Trade Secrets podcast, Chen said calling whether Bitcoin ends the year above or below $70,000 is genuinely difficult right now. Her reasoning centers on interest rates: if borrowing costs climb further, she expects Bitcoin to feel it. “If any of that happens, the price should go down, at least theoretically,” she said, noting that Bitcoin has grown far more tied to traditional financial markets than it used to be, making it more sensitive to macro shifts rather than crypto-specific news.
Her actual prediction is deliberately unglamorous. Chen expects Bitcoin to land somewhere within $10,000 to $20,000 of its current price by year’s end, calling it her “more responsible” forecast, a notable contrast to the six-figure predictions floating around elsewhere in the market.
A US Bitcoin Buying Spree? Chen Isn’t Buying It
Chen also poured cold water on hopes that Washington will start actively buying Bitcoin for its national reserve anytime soon. She called that scenario unlikely within the next two years of Trump’s term, despite the administration’s friendly posture toward crypto.
The backdrop here matters. Trump established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in March 2025, but it was built almost entirely from BTC the government already had on hand through law enforcement seizures and forfeitures, not new purchases. The US currently holds an estimated 328,372 BTC, according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET, and officials have only been directed to explore budget-neutral ways to add more.
Chen argues that shifting from holding seized coins to actively spending public money on Bitcoin would be a far bigger political lift, one requiring real debate across parties. “From a policy perspective, it’s probably unlikely,” she said. “I just don’t see it coming right now.”
Also Read: Ray Dalio Says US Debt Crisis Could Hit in 3 Years — Tells Investors to Buy Bitcoin and Gold
A Grounded Take in a Market Full of Big Calls
Chen’s outlook stands out mostly for what it isn’t: another aggressive price target. As Bitcoin continues integrating with mainstream finance, her comments suggest that macro forces like interest rate policy, not government stockpiling or retail hype, will likely be the bigger driver of where BTC lands by December.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of chainrant.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. chainrant.com/ is not responsible for any financial losses.
