“2026 is likely to be volatile, but volatility should not be confused with stagnation,” insisted Stella Zlatareva, Senior Communications Manager, Nexo, while talking about the year in crypto. In an exclusive chat with 99Bitcoins.com, Zlatareva explained that while Bitcoin and the broader crypto market remain exposed to macro-driven turbulence, structural tailwinds – including advancing regulatory clarity, deeper institutional engagement, and broader adoption – continue to support the asset class.
Rather than a simple cooling-off phase, the year is more likely to resemble consolidation at the price level alongside continued expansion in market infrastructure, long-term ownership, and product depth.
“If institutional adoption accelerates through regulated investment vehicles, balance-sheet allocations, and portfolio integration, that capital would not just drive price appreciation, but also reshape market structure by extending holding horizons and improving liquidity. In that scenario, renewed upside – including the potential for new all-time highs, becomes plausible.”
“That said, if macroeconomic and political uncertainty remain the dominant forces, crypto markets may continue to trade range-bound. In that environment, Bitcoin increasingly behaves like a macro asset, responding to real yields, liquidity expectations, and risk sentiment rather than purely cyclical dynamics.”
“The ultimate signal will likely come from global monetary policy. A clear shift by the US Federal Reserve toward renewed easing, or meaningful intervention by the Bank of Japan, would materially improve global liquidity conditions and favor risk assets, including digital assets. Absent that, consolidation should be viewed not as weakness, but as a sign of market maturation.”
“Sustainable returns will be driven less by excess liquidity and more by disciplined risk management and transparent balance-sheet models.”
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How will the current geopolitical tensions impact Bitcoin, stablecoins and crypto?
“Geopolitics are reinforcing crypto’s dual character rather than undermining it.”
In the short term, Bitcoin is likely to remain volatile, often reacting sharply to shifts in risk sentiment and liquidity conditions triggered by geopolitical developments.
“Increasingly, however, Bitcoin functions as a real-time macro barometer, rapidly pricing in expectations around monetary easing, fiscal expansion, or systemic stress. In that context, volatility reflects growing integration into the global financial system rather than fragility.”
“Over longer horizons, persistent policy uncertainty, rising fiscal pressures, and currency instability continue to strengthen the case for non-sovereign digital assets. For stablecoins, geopolitical fragmentation is driving both increased demand for efficient cross-border settlement tools and heightened scrutiny of reserve quality. That dynamic places a growing premium on trust, transparency, and regulatory alignment.”
“More broadly, the crypto market is entering a further phase of maturation. Volatile stretches tend to accelerate differentiation, favoring assets and platforms that are embedded in robust ecosystems, provide clear utility, and operate within evolving regulatory frameworks. Over time, that process strengthens the market’s foundation and supports more durable long-term growth.”
About Nexo And Its Partnership With Audi Revolut F1 Team
Regulation such as the GENIUS Act reinforces standards around transparency and reserve quality, we see trust and sustainability becoming the primary drivers of long-term growth. That regulatory clarity ultimately supports platforms designed for long-term users, rather than those dependent on temporary market conditions.
“As the exclusive Official Digital Asset Partner of the Audi Revolut F1 Team, Nexo is moving beyond branding to deliver technical utility to a global fanbase of 827 million.”
“This partnership is built on the strength of the Nexo platform’s institutional infrastructure, which currently manages $11 billion in assets and has processed over $371 billion in transaction volume and collateralized credit issued. We are leveraging this proven scale to bring digital wealth and the elite racing ecosystem closer.”
“Our focus is on three key areas of integration: liquidity solutions, precision execution, and institutional-grade security. By joining the Audi F1 project as a foundational partner from day one, we are ensuring that digital assets are part of the team’s technical architecture, not just its livery. We look forward to unveiling specific activations and digital-first experiences as we move toward the inaugural race in Melbourne this March.”
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Key Takeaways
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In an exclusive chat with 99Bitcoins.com, Zlatareva explained that geopolitics are reinforcing crypto’s dual character rather than undermining it.
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“For stablecoins, geopolitical fragmentation is driving both increased demand for efficient cross-border settlement tools and heightened scrutiny of reserve quality.”
The post 99Bitcoins Exclusive: “Bitcoin, crypto market remains exposed to macro-driven turbulence, structural tailwinds,” Says Nexo Exec appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
