Arthur Hayes Sees Continued Money Printing Fueling Crypto Growth Well Into 2026

BitMEX co-founder and Maelstrom CIO Arthur Hayes predicts that the crypto bull market could extend well into 2026, fueled by ongoing government money printing. In a conversation with bitcoin and Web3 entrepreneur Kyle Chassé, Hayes urged investors to take a long-term view on bitcoin rather than focus on short-term price movements.

Hayes highlighted that global monetary expansion is far from over. Pointing to U.S. politics, he suggested that a potential second term for former President Donald Trump could trigger new spending programs starting mid-2026. While he might consider partial profit-taking if money-printing expectations become extreme, he believes most investors are underestimating the potential liquidity flowing into crypto and equities.

Geopolitical developments also shape his outlook. Hayes cited the erosion of a unipolar world order, arguing that instability often pushes governments toward fiscal stimulus and central bank easing. He warned that tensions in Europe, including a possible French default, could accelerate global money printing. Although these policies carry long-term risks, he sees the peak of the current cycle as still ahead.

On bitcoin, Hayes dismissed concerns that the asset has stalled after hitting $124,000 in mid-August. He noted that traditional assets such as U.S. stocks, real estate, and most tech giants lag behind gold—and even more so when measured against bitcoin. He emphasized that bitcoin’s real value emerges as a hedge against currency debasement.

Hayes stressed that both traditional investors and crypto holders operate under the same principle: governments will print money when growth slows. While traditional finance relies on leveraged bonds, crypto investors treat bitcoin as the “faster horse.” The key, he argued, is patience—bitcoin’s long-term compounding outperformance, combined with ongoing monetary expansion, could carry the crypto cycle well into 2026.