Cardano Co-Founder Charles Hoskinson Shares Bullish Outlook for Bitcoin and Altcoins
Cardano co-founder Charles Hoskinson has shared an interesting outlook for the crypto market in a recent YouTube interview with Altcoin Daily. Hoskinson projected a major upside for Bitcoin in 2026, predicting it could reach $250,000, while also outlining a way for capital to flow into altcoins. His comments touched on institutional demand, decentralized finance, and why the next crypto market phase may soon decouple from Bitcoin.
Bitcoin’s Potential and the Bridge to DeFi
Hoskinson expects Bitcoin to reach $250,000 in 2026, driven by persistent institutional demand. This prediction is notable, given Bitcoin’s current price action, which is stuck below $90,000. Hoskinson previously floated this target during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box. He noted that the missing piece has been a credible way for Bitcoin’s enormous stored value to interact with the broader DeFi ecosystem.
According to Hoskinson, Bitcoin holders are cautious about handing custody of their assets to third parties, limiting how much BTC can be deployed productively. The solution lies in non-custodial credit systems, where Bitcoin can be lent in a non-custodial manner to access stablecoins, which are then deployed across DeFi to generate yield. If the yield generated exceeds the cost of credit, Bitcoin holders gain predictable passive returns without sacrificing control of their holdings.
Once such mechanisms mature, trillions of dollars in Bitcoin value could gradually spill into altcoins, providing a stronger foundation for real-world adoption across the altcoin sector. BTCUSD currently trading at $87,648. Chart: TradingView
Comparing Solana and Ethereum
Hoskinson shared his perspective on the comparison between Ethereum and Solana, explaining that the difference comes down to how each network can grow from here. Ethereum is, in many ways, a victim of its own success, having become a huge ecosystem that is harder to move and adapt quickly. Solana, on the other hand, is a faster-moving chain that can experiment and adopt new ideas more easily.
According to Hoskinson, Solana may be better positioned for growth over the next few years due to its tighter leadership and more agile development approach. However, he gave Ethereum its due credit, noting that it continues to carry much of the foundational work among altcoins and DeFi. When asked about Cardano and Midnight, Hoskinson said his optimism is rooted in different fundamentals for each, although Midnight still has much more room to grow.
Cardano focuses on long-term infrastructure and research-driven development, while Midnight represents something new for the industry. Midnight is a recently launched partner chain created by Cardano’s creators, functioning as a complementary network to Cardano. Hoskinson described Midnight as part of a fourth generation of cryptocurrency design, positioning it as a first mover that could capture a big market share if development and adoption move quickly enough.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView. The editorial process for this article is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content, upholding strict sourcing standards and diligent review by top technology experts and seasoned editors.
