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Crypto Journalist
Amin Ayan
Crypto Journalist
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Bitcoin investors are watching macro signals closely after billionaire Elon Musk said the US economy could enter a period of rapid expansion as soon as late 2026, reviving hopes of another leg higher for the cryptocurrency.
Key Takeaways:
- Elon Musk’s US growth forecast has reignited Bitcoin optimism as traders look for signs of improving liquidity and risk appetite.
- Fed rate cuts have put macroeconomic conditions back at the center of Bitcoin’s price outlook after its recent pullback.
- Despite bullish reactions, several analysts remain cautious, warning Bitcoin could face renewed downside in 2026.
In a post on X this week, Musk predicted “double-digit growth” within the next 12 to 18 months, adding that US GDP could even see “triple-digit” expansion over the next five years if advances in applied artificial intelligence translate into real economic output.
While the comments were not tied directly to crypto, they were quickly picked up by Bitcoin traders searching for signs of improving liquidity and risk appetite.
Fed Rate Cuts Put Macro Focus Back on Bitcoin’s Next Move
Macro expectations have long played a role in Bitcoin price action. Investors often track growth forecasts, inflation trends and US Federal Reserve policy to gauge whether conditions favor risk assets.
Rate cuts by the Fed earlier this year have already fueled debate over whether easier financial conditions could support a recovery in Bitcoin after its recent pullback.
Several prominent figures in the crypto space backed Musk’s outlook. Bitcoin entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano noted that the world’s richest man is openly forecasting double-digit GDP growth, framing it as a potentially powerful backdrop for scarce assets like Bitcoin.
Meanwhile, real-world asset yield platform Oryon Finance said Musk’s projections tend to be “not random noise,” even if they are controversial.
Skepticism, however, remains. Some market watchers questioned Musk’s track record on long-term forecasts.
Analyst Artem Russakovskii said economic predictions are not Musk’s strongest area, urging caution in extrapolating the comments into market expectations.
Bearish views on Bitcoin’s medium-term outlook also persist. Market commentator Bariksis said that despite Musk’s optimism, he expects a Bitcoin bear market in 2026.
Veteran trader Peter Brandt and Fidelity’s Jurrien Timmer have similarly suggested Bitcoin could revisit the $60,000 range next year.
At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $87,709, down nearly 30% from its Oct. 5 peak of $125,100, according to CoinMarketCap.
Bitcoin Remains Tied to Fed Policy as Inflation Eases Slowly, Analyst Says
According to Linh Tran, market analyst at XS.com, Bitcoin’s recent price action underscores the market’s sensitivity to monetary policy expectations rather than headline economic data.
While US inflation has eased from last year’s highs, the latest consumer price index reading of 2.7% suggests that the disinflation process remains slow and uneven, forcing “the Fed to maintain a cautious stance, making it difficult to pivot quickly toward an aggressive easing cycle,” Tran said in a note shared with Cryptonews.com.
Last week, K33 also said Bitcoin’s prolonged sell-side pressure from long-term holders may be approaching its limits after years of steady distribution.