Central Bank Easing Could Ignite a Historic Crypto Bull Run by Early 2026

When central banks open the liquidity taps, digital assets are first in line to drink.

The Liquidity Floodgates

Monetary policy is shifting. Rate cuts and quantitative easing are back on the table for major economies facing economic headwinds. This isn't subtle tweaking—it's a full-scale pivot toward cheaper money. And where does that freshly printed capital flow first? Into the highest-beta, most speculative corners of the market. Crypto, with its 24/7 trading and global reach, acts as a perfect liquidity sponge.

From Fiat Debasement to Digital Soaring

History doesn't repeat, but it often rhymes. The last major easing cycle saw Bitcoin and Ethereum shatter all-time highs as investors sought hedges against potential currency devaluation. This time, the infrastructure is stronger—regulated exchanges, institutional custody, spot ETFs—creating wider on-ramps for the incoming wave of capital. The narrative shifts from 'risky tech experiment' to 'legitimate macro hedge' almost overnight.

The Domino Effect on Altcoins

Bitcoin leads, but the alts explode. When liquidity searches for yield, it doesn't stop at the blue chips. Major Layer 1 protocols and high-conviction DeFi tokens historically see parabolic moves in these conditions, often outperforming the market leaders by multiples. It's a classic risk-on rotation, turbocharged by crypto's inherent leverage and volatility.

The Cynical Take

Let's be real—the same banks now fueling this potential rally spent the last decade dismissing crypto as a fraud. Funny how their monetary policy ends up being its greatest catalyst. A true 'have your cake and eat it too' moment for traditional finance.

The Countdown to 2026

The timeline is set. Policy shifts take months to filter through the system, but the market is a forward-looking machine. By early 2026, the combined effect of sustained easing, a clearer regulatory landscape, and matured market infrastructure could create a perfect storm. It won't be a straight line up—volatility remains the entry fee—but the directional pressure from cheap money is a powerful, almost gravitational, force.

Get ready. When central banks blink, crypto doesn't just rally—it goes supernova.

TLDR

• Jesse Eckel predicts that the next major crypto bull run will likely begin in 2026.
• He believes that macroeconomic factors are now more important than Bitcoin halving cycles.
• Central banks have paused rate hikes and are starting to ease financial conditions.
• Eckel says strong liquidity and economic growth are necessary for a sustained crypto rally.
• The current market phase is seen as a recovery stage rather than the beginning of a bull run.

A shift in global financial conditions may set the stage for a crypto bull run in 2026, researchers say. Jesse Eckel, a macro researcher, points to easing interest rates and liquidity growth as key upcoming drivers. He believes the current recovery phase may transition into stronger gains, especially for altcoins, by 2026.

Bitcoin Halving No Longer Defines Cycles

Bitcoin’s historic four-year cycle model may no longer predict market peaks accurately, according to Jesse Eckel. He argues previous crypto bull runs were driven more by loose monetary policy than by halving events. “Halvings alone never caused rallies. Liquidity did,” Eckel said in a recent macro market update.

He notes that liquidity injections were central to rallies in 2013, 2017, and the post-COVID boom in 2021. But since central banks tightened policy sharply in 2022, risk assets, including crypto, faced downward pressure. “Markets need expanding liquidity to grow. That’s been missing,” Eckel explained.

Eckel says the Bitcoin halving in 2024 may not spark an immediate crypto bull run. Without macro support, he expects only modest gains in 2025 before conditions align fully by 2026. His analysis shows macro trends now hold greater influence over price action than internal crypto events.

Liquidity and Easing Policies Could Drive Altcoin Surge

Eckel points to a shift in global monetary policy as the potential trigger for the next crypto bull run. Central banks have paused interest-rate hikes after the fastest tightening cycle in decades. “Rate hikes are done. The pressure phase is ending,” he stated.

Business activity has been flat for several quarters, limiting demand for high-risk assets such as cryptocurrencies. As liquidity expands and borrowing costs fall, more capital could FLOW into crypto markets. Eckel says this pivot could fuel an altcoin-heavy crypto bull run in 2026.

Financial conditions are now showing early signs of easing, which historically supports risk asset performance. He adds that pressure is building on central banks to support slow-growing economies. “In that environment, crypto bull run potential increases quickly,” he observed.

Previous bull markets followed periods of central bank support through aggressive balance sheet expansion. Eckel expects similar monetary conditions to re-emerge over the next year. This, he believes, will prepare the ground for the next major crypto bull run.

Current Phase Suggests Build-Up, Not Breakout

Eckel describes today’s market as early in recovery, not yet ready for explosive upside movement. He says the system is transitioning, but stronger catalysts remain several quarters away. “2025 may see some lift, but 2026 looks more explosive,” he said.

Crypto has struggled to gain momentum as business growth remained weak globally. Eckel links this directly to investor hesitancy toward volatile assets during economic uncertainty. Only a clear shift toward expansion could reverse that trend.

While some investors expect a post-halving rally, Eckel sees that view as outdated. He emphasizes the need to follow liquidity and macroeconomic data closely instead. “Crypto bull run strength will follow money, not the calendar,” he said.

Eckel maintains that patience may prove essential as the groundwork forms for a broader market upturn. He sees rising liquidity and improved business data as keys to the next crypto bull run. He expects conditions in 2026 to align more fully with historical bull market environments.