VanEck: Bitcoin will be one of the best-performing assets in 2026.

On December 24, CoinDesk reported that Bitcoin has disappointed investors this year, underperforming against gold and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index, despite earlier expectations that it would benefit from the devaluation of fiat. However, a manager at VanEck stated that this largest encryption asset may be preparing for a significant comeback next year. David Schassler, head of multi-asset solutions at VanEck, noted in the company's recent 2026 outlook that “Bitcoin's performance so far this year lags the Nasdaq 100 index by about 50%, and this misalignment makes it likely to be one of the best-performing assets in 2026.” Schassler wrote that while this year's weakness reflects a decrease in risk appetite and tight liquidity, Bitcoin's fundamentals remain solid. He added, “As (currency) devaluation accelerates and liquidity returns, Bitcoin has historically reacted dramatically.” “We have been buying in,” he stated. Schassler's broader argument focuses on the powerful combination of currency devaluation, technological transformation, and the rise of hard assets. The asset management firm believes that funding future liabilities and political ambitions will increasingly rely on printing money, prompting investors to turn to scarce store of value means like gold and Bitcoin.