Key notes
- US pro-crypto policies could disrupt the established rhythm of the Bitcoin market linked to halving events and price corrections.
- CZ maintains a long-term holding strategy rather than active trading while refusing to provide short-term price forecasts.
- Bitcoin is currently trading near $90,866 with critical support at $88,000 determining the next directional move.
Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao Said He Expected Bitcoin
BTC
$89,822
24h volatility:
0.2%
Market capitalization:
$1.79T
Flight. 24h:
$42.64 billion
to enter a “super-cycle” in 2026, potentially breaking the cryptocurrency’s four-year historical pattern of price spikes and crashes.
Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on January 23, 2026, the executive, recently pardoned by the US president, explained that pro-crypto policy changes in the US could disrupt the established rhythm of the Bitcoin market. Zhao, commonly known as CZ, said the evolving regulatory landscape represents a fundamental shift from previous cycles that have governed Bitcoin prices since its inception.
Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao at DAVOS 2026 | Source: CNBC Television
Traditional four-year cycle in the Bitcoin market
Bitcoin has historically followed four-year cycles linked to “halving” events that reduce mining rewards and new supply. These cycles typically produce an all-time high followed by significant price corrections.
However, Zhao believes that 2026 will be an exception. “I think this year, given that the United States is so pro-crypto and all the other countries are sort of following, I think we’ll see that. We’ll probably break the four-year cycle,” Zhao said in the interview.
Before making this latest statement, when asked about price predictions, Zhao emphasized the importance of timing. “If you look at a ten, five, ten year horizon, it’s very easy to predict. We’re going to go up,” he said, while refusing to make short-term forecasts.
Zhao confirmed that he does not actively trade Bitcoin, but holds it long-term alongside Binance’s native BNB.
BNB
$892.4
24h volatility:
0.6%
Market capitalization:
$121.72 billion
Flight. 24h:
$1.17 billion
token.
Current conditions and forecasts of the Bitcoin market
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $90,866 after retreating from its peak of $97,000 to $98,000 earlier this month. The technical picture appears bearish, with BTC trading below the Ichimoku Cloud and key EMA lines, signaling that sellers have taken control.
Bitcoin Price 4h | Source: TradingView
Currently, the critical level to watch is $88,000. Staying above would keep the bulls in the game and allow for a potential rebound. If the current support zone around $90,000 to $91,000 breaks, we could see a decline towards $88,000 or even $85,000.
On the positive side, Bitcoin needs to reclaim $93,000 and get back above the shorter time frame EMAs to shift momentum in favor of the buyers. For now, expect choppy sideways trading in the $88,000-$91,000 range until the market chooses a clear direction.
following
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article is intended to provide accurate and current information, but should not be considered financial or investment advice. Because market conditions can change quickly, we encourage you to verify the information for yourself and consult a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
José Rafael Peña Gholam is a cryptocurrency journalist and editor with 9 years of experience in the industry. He has written in leading media outlets like CriptoNoticias, BeInCrypto and CoinDesk. Specializing in Bitcoin, blockchain and Web3, he creates news, analysis and educational content for global audiences in Spanish and English.
José Rafael Peña Gholam on LinkedIn
