CoinDesk Podcast Network Will 2026 Be the Year of Bitcoin Financialization? | Markets Outlook
Jan 5, 2026
Charlie Hu, Co-founder of BitLayer, dives into the critical financialization of Bitcoin and its 2026 outlook. He explains how Bitcoin emerged as a lifeline during Venezuela's hyperinflation crisis. The conversation covers the competition between Bitcoin and precious metals, highlighting the factors driving Bitcoin adoption. Hu identifies bottlenecks that hinder DeFi's integration with Bitcoin and discusses how stablecoins complement Bitcoin's role in the market. He emphasizes key indicators to watch in 2026, making a strong case for Bitcoin's potential rise.
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Make Bitcoin Productive With Programmability
- Bitcoin can be made productive by adding programmability and yield to a historically non-yielding asset.
- BitLayer builds layer-two infrastructure to deliver modest, verifiable yields to Bitcoin holders globally.
Bitcoin As A Lifeline In Hyperinflation
- In hyperinflationary countries like Venezuela, holding Bitcoin has materially outperformed local currency.
- Bitcoin provides global accessible digital capital that preserves value for citizens amid rapid price inflation.
Liquidity Flows Could Fuel Bitcoin Rallies
- Liquidity cycles will likely drive Bitcoin rallies as capital shifts from precious metals to digital alternatives.
- Institutions and ETFs have already funneled new liquidity into Bitcoin, enabling wider adoption.