Tether CEO Predicts AI Bubble Could Shake Bitcoin In 2026
Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO, warned that a potential AI-driven stock market bubble could impact Bitcoin by 2026 due to the cryptocurrency’s close correlation with capital markets. He expressed concerns about excessive spending by AI companies on infrastructure, which could lead to turmoil if market sentiment shifts. Despite this, Ardoino does not foresee sharp Bitcoin corrections like the 80% drops of 2018 or 2022, citing increased adoption by pension funds and governments as stabilizing factors. He is bullish on real-world asset tokenization, predicting tokenized securities and commodities will become significant. Ardoino cautioned against over-institutionalization of Bitcoin. He also expressed pessimism about Europe’s crypto innovation, criticizing the region’s regulatory approach and institutions like the EU’s MiCA, which prompted some providers to delist Tether’s USDT. Additionally, Ardoino is skeptical of crypto treasury companies without substantial operational businesses and advocates for firms that offer both services and significant Bitcoin holdings, referencing Tether-backed company Twenty One as a model.
