VanEck: Bitcoin will be one of the best-performing assets by 2026

On December 24th, Coindesk reported that Bitcoin has disappointed investors this year, underperforming gold and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index, despite previous expectations that it would benefit from fiat currency depreciation.

However, according to a manager at VanEck, the largest crypto asset may be preparing for a major comeback next year.

David Schassler, head of multi-asset solutions at VanEck, stated in the company's recent 2026 outlook: "Bitcoin's year-to-date performance has lagged the Nasdaq 100 by about 50%, and this misalignment puts it on track to be one of the best-performing assets in 2026."

Schassler wrote that while this year's weakness reflects weakening risk appetite and liquidity constraints, Bitcoin's fundamentals remain solid. He added, "Historically, Bitcoin has reacted sharply as (currency) depreciation accelerates and liquidity returns." "We've been buying," he said.

Schassler's broader argument focuses on the powerful combination of currency depreciation, technological transformation, and the rise of hard assets. The asset management firm believes that funding future debt and political ambitions will increasingly rely on printing money, thus driving investors to scarce stores of value such as gold and Bitcoin.