In an exclusive Cointelegraph interview, Coin Bureau CEO Nic Puckrin forecasts 2026 as a “tale of two crypto markets”: one driven by institutional conviction and the other marked by near-total retail apathy. He warns that while headlines focus on ETFs, regulatory shifts and broader adoption, the lack of a strong retail return—like in prior cycles—will shape what comes next.
Puckrin revisits the long-running debate over Bitcoin’s four-year cycle. After an unusual price advance ahead of the halving and the absence of a classic blow-off top, many traders declared the traditional cycle dead. He says recent price behavior, however, has forced even some skeptics to rethink that dismissal.
The interview also tackles the growing quantum computing conversation. What began as a fringe concern is moving into formal risk frameworks for some investors. Puckrin outlines why quantum risks are being taken more seriously, while emphasizing that the crypto community remains split on how immediate or acute the threat truly is.
Beyond crypto, Puckrin describes where he’s scouting opportunities this year and what macro and market conditions could allow a meaningful Bitcoin recovery later in 2026. He highlights that institutional flows, liquidity dynamics and specific technical levels and catalysts will be key to any sustained move.
For Puckrin’s full thesis, the exact levels he’s watching and the catalysts he thinks will define Bitcoin’s next leg, watch the full interview on Cointelegraph’s channel. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.