In an exclusive Cointelegraph interview, Coin Bureau CEO and crypto commentator Nic Puckrin says he expects 2026 to unfold as a “tale of two crypto markets” — institutional conviction on one side and near-total retail apathy on the other.
While headlines have focused on exchange-traded funds, policy shifts and large-scale adoption, Puckrin argues that everyday investors aren’t returning in the numbers seen in prior cycles, and that absence will matter for what comes next.
He revisits the debate over Bitcoin’s “four-year cycle.” After an atypical run-up before the halving and no classic blow-off top, many traders declared the old playbook dead. Puckrin explains why recent price behavior has compelled even skeptics to rethink their positions.
The conversation also covers the rising quantum computing narrative — a risk moving from fringe discussion into formal risk frameworks for some investors. Puckrin outlines why quantum computing is being treated more seriously, while noting the crypto community remains divided on how immediate the threat really is.
Finally, he discusses where he’s looking for opportunities outside crypto this year and the conditions that could enable a meaningful Bitcoin recovery later in 2026.
Watch the full interview on Cointelegraph’s channel to hear Puckrin’s complete thesis, the key levels he’s watching, and the catalysts he believes will define Bitcoin’s next move.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
