Key Takeaways
- Haseeb Qureshi has revealed new predictions for 2026.
- Qureshi believes Ethereum and Solana are likely to outperform newer “fintech L1” chains.
- Prediction markets such as Polymarket are set for rapid growth, he said.
Bitcoin’s (BTC) price could rise above $150,000 by the end of 2026, but its dominance of the overall crypto market is likely to decline as other blockchains and use cases gain traction, according to Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at crypto-focused venture capital firm Dragonfly.
Bitcoin Dominance Fades?
Qureshi expects Bitcoin to remain the industry’s bellwether asset, but said capital and developer attention will increasingly spread across other networks, reducing Bitcoin’s market dominance even as its price rises.
He forecasted that established blockchains, such as Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), will outperform a newer group of so-called “fintech layer-1” chains, citing underwhelming metrics, including daily active addresses and user activity.
“The best developers will continue to build on neutral infrastructure chains,” Qureshi wrote.
Avalanche, alongside Ethereum scaling frameworks such as OP Stack, Orbit and ZK Stack, could benefit most from that trend.
Qureshi also predicted that at least one major technology company — such as Google, Apple or Meta Platforms — will launch or acquire a crypto wallet in 2026.
DeFi and Stablecoins
In decentralized finance (DeFi), Qureshi said perpetual futures trading platforms are likely to consolidate into roughly three dominant venues, mirroring consolidation seen in other financial markets.
He also warned that a DeFi-related insider trading scandal could reach mainstream media, potentially increasing regulatory scrutiny of the sector.
On stablecoins, Qureshi projected supply growth of about 60% in 2026, with U.S. dollar-pegged tokens retaining more than 99% of the market.
Tether’s USDT, however, could see its market share decline to around 55%.
Regulation and Prediction Markets
Qureshi expects the U.S. Clarity Act, a long-debated crypto regulatory framework, to be signed into law in 2026 after significant revisions.
He cautioned that some crypto industry participants may experience “buyer’s remorse” once the legislation is implemented.
He also forecast rapid growth in prediction markets, with platforms such as Polymarket continuing to gain cultural relevance and market share.
“Prediction markets grow like crazy,” Qureshi wrote, adding that major legal disputes over sports betting regulation and federal preemption are likely to persist, leaving the regulatory status quo largely unchanged through 2026.
According to Qureshi, prediction markets are increasingly perceived as “cool and smart,” allowing platforms such as Polymarket to expand their visibility and influence.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
