Analyst says ‘Bitcoin will trade lower’ amid treasury unwind fears – Why?

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-01-02Last updated on 2026-01-02

Abstract

Canadian mining tycoon Frank Giustra predicts Bitcoin could fall further from its current $88,000 level, presenting a better buying opportunity. He warns that if corporate Bitcoin treasuries face trouble, a large-scale unwind could drive prices significantly lower. These treasuries, led by MicroStrategy's substantial holdings, represent 4.9% of BTC's total supply and face two main risks: potential exclusion from the MSCI index by Q1 2026 and compressed mNAV ratios, which could force sell-offs. However, asset manager Grayscale contends that any unwinding would not significantly impact the market, noting that MicroStrategy has a reserve fund to avoid liquidating BTC. Market expectations of a major sell-off are below 30%, and mergers among distressed firms may occur. A trader projects the correction could bottom around $74,000, a historical support level aligned with mining costs.

Canadian-based mining tycoon Frank Giustra believes Bitcoin could still fall further and offer a better buying opportunity than its current level of $88,000.

When one user implored him to get some BTC just in case it explodes in the future, he said he would wait for a better discount. He added,

“If the Bitcoin treasury companies get into trouble, there will be an unwinding, and Bitcoin will trade a lot lower. If I am wrong, it won’t change my life.”

The businessman is one of the bears in 2026, based on his thesis that BTC corporate treasuries would soon unwind.

In fact, he took a swipe at former White House executive Bo Hines for calling BTC short sellers “fools.” He retorted that “wanting to avoid gambling is not exactly foolish.”

Will BTC treasuries unwind in 2026?

At press time, Bitcoin treasuries, led by Strategy’s massive 672,497 BTC coins, accounted for 4.9% of the total supply (1.035 million coins). These public companies are the second second-largest holders after ETFs (exchange-traded funds), which control 7% of the overall supply.

It is true that the treasury firms may face unwinds amid two risk factors. First, the potential exclusion from the MSCI index which could force automatic redemption and sell-offs.

Currently, the prediction site Polymarket predicts a 75% chance of the MSCI Index delisting occurring by Q1 2026.

The second risk factor is compressed mNAV (valuation multiples that track the value of crypto holdings to the underlying company’s assets). If the mNAV drops below 1, the firms are forced to either raise debt or liquidate BTC for share buybacks to boost the metric.

Already, most BTC treasuries’ mNAVs are trading at a discount, and a likely MSCI delisting could exacerbate the situation.

Is the BTC treasury risk overblown?

However, it won’t move markets even if the firms unwind, according to Grayscale. In its 2026 projection, the asset manager noted that Strategy built a reserve fund to avoid liquidating its BTC holdings. It added,

“These vehicles (treasury firms) are unlikely to be a major source of new demand for tokens or a major source of selling pressure in 2026, in our view.”

Even the market expectation that Strategy would dump its BTC was below 30% at press time. Additionally, there is already a push for mergers among distressed treasury firms, such as Semler Scientific and Strive.

That being said, renowned BTC trader Cryp Nuevo projected that BTC’s correction could ease at $74k – A level that coincided with a BTC mining cost that stopped past major pullbacks.


Final Thoughts

  • A potential BTC treasury crisis and unwind could offer better buying opportunities.
  • However, the discount may not go lower than $74,000 if history repeats itself.

Related Questions

QWhy does Frank Giustra believe Bitcoin could fall further?

AFrank Giustra believes Bitcoin could fall further due to the potential unwinding of Bitcoin treasury companies. He speculates that if these companies get into trouble, they might be forced to sell their Bitcoin holdings, causing the price to trade a lot lower.

QWhat are the two main risk factors that could lead to a treasury unwind?

AThe two main risk factors are: 1) The potential exclusion of these companies from the MSCI index, which could force automatic redemption and sell-offs. 2) Compressed mNAV (valuation multiples), where if the mNAV drops below 1, firms may be forced to raise debt or liquidate BTC for share buybacks.

QWhat is the market's expectation for a potential MSCI Index delisting, according to Polymarket?

AAccording to the prediction site Polymarket, there is a 75% chance of the MSCI Index delisting occurring by Q1 2026.

QWhat is Grayscale's view on the potential impact of a treasury unwind on the Bitcoin market?

AGrayscale believes that even if the treasury firms unwind, it won't move the markets significantly. They note that MicroStrategy has built a reserve fund to avoid liquidating its BTC holdings and that these vehicles are unlikely to be a major source of selling pressure in 2026.

QAt what price level does trader Cryp Nuevo project that Bitcoin's correction could ease?

ARenowned BTC trader Cryp Nuevo projected that BTC's correction could ease at $74,000, a level that has historically coincided with the BTC mining cost and stopped past major pullbacks.

Related Reads

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

**Summary: The Value Distribution of Stablecoins** The article argues that stablecoins are evolving from mere trading tools into broader channels for dollar access. It divides the stablecoin ecosystem into four layers to analyze how value is distributed: 1. **Issuance Layer:** Mints stablecoins, holds reserve assets, and captures the spread between reserve yield and user costs (e.g., Tether, Circle). This layer currently earns the largest profit margin. 2. **Infrastructure Layer:** Connects stablecoins to the traditional financial system, handling fiat on/off-ramps, banking integration, compliance (KYC/AML), and asset management (e.g., Bridge, BVNK). This is the "unglamorous" but critical work, building the essential bridges between crypto and real-world finance. 3. **Acquiring/Distribution Layer:** Integrates stablecoins into merchant systems, manages payment flows, and provides enterprise financial software (e.g., Stripe, Coinbase). They act as the access point for businesses. 4. **Application Layer:** The end-users and businesses that ultimately use stablecoins for payments, settlements, or as a store of value. They benefit from convenience but have little pricing power. The core thesis is that while the issuance layer currently dominates profits, the often-overlooked **infrastructure layer holds significant long-term potential**. The real challenge and barrier to mass adoption is not the on-chain transfer of stablecoins (which is simple), but the complex "last mile" integration into existing business workflows, banking systems, and regulatory frameworks across different countries. Companies in this layer are currently in a "land grab" phase, investing heavily to build networks, secure bank partnerships, and establish compliance pathways. While their position is currently pressured by the profitable issuers above and distribution platforms below, the article suggests that if stablecoins become a default financial rail for businesses, the infrastructure providers who have done the hard work of integration will ultimately gain strong pricing power and become entrenched, essential players.

marsbit5h ago

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

marsbit5h ago

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins The article argues that stablecoins are evolving from a mere trading tool into a broad "dollar channel." It analyzes the industry's value chain through four layers: 1. **Issuance Layer (e.g., Tether, Circle):** The top layer that mints stablecoins, holds reserve assets, and captures the thickest interest rate spread. 2. **Infrastructure Layer (e.g., Bridge, BVNK):** Connects stablecoins to the traditional financial system, handling critical but complex "dirty work" like fiat on/off-ramps, banking integration, compliance (KYC/AML), and cross-border settlement. 3. **Acquiring/Distribution Layer (e.g., Stripe, Coinbase):** Embeds stablecoins into merchant systems, manages payment flows, and integrates with enterprise software. 4. **Application Layer:** End-users and businesses that ultimately use stablecoins for payments, settlement, or storing value. The author posits that while the issuance layer currently captures the most profit, the most overlooked and potentially critical layer is infrastructure. The core challenge for stablecoin adoption isn't the on-chain transfer (which is simple), but bridging the gap between blockchain and the real-world financial system. This involves solving practical problems for businesses: fiat conversion, reconciliation, tax handling, and user onboarding. Infrastructure companies are currently in a difficult "land-grab" phase—building networks, securing banking relationships, and achieving compliance country-by-country. They face pressure from both the profitable issuance layer above and distribution platforms below. However, the author suggests this layer is building a crucial moat. Once stablecoins become a default business rail, the infrastructure players who have done the hard work of integration may gain significant, durable value and pricing power.

链捕手5h ago

The Value Distribution of Stablecoins

链捕手5h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

366 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片