According to ChainCatcher, coindesk reports 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.
But according to a VanEck manager, this largest crypto asset may be preparing for a major comeback next year.
David Schassler, head of multi-asset solutions at VanEck, said in the company’s recent 2026 outlook: “Bitcoin has lagged behind the Nasdaq 100 by about 50% year-to-date, 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, "Bitcoin has historically reacted sharply as (currency) devaluation accelerates and liquidity returns," and "we've been buying," he said.
Schassler's broader argument focuses on the powerful combination of currency devaluation, 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, driving investors toward scarce stores of value such as gold and Bitcoin.
