Cathie Wood Predicts US Bitcoin Buying in 2026

ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood has predicted that the United States could begin actively purchasing Bitcoin as early as 2026. Speaking on a recent podcast, Wood suggested that politics, rather than just market dynamics, could serve as the catalyst for the federal government to move beyond holding seized assets. She views cryptocurrency as a durable political issue for President Donald Trump, particularly with the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon.

Wood's analysis centers on the administration's desire to maintain political momentum. She indicated that the President has incentives to keep the crypto industry aligned with his administration to avoid becoming a 'lame duck.' While the strategic reserve was created by executive order, it has so far only been funded with confiscated Bitcoin. Wood believes this posture will change, noting that the 'original intent was to own one million bitcoins.' She argues that active government purchasing would set off the long-awaited scarcity value reassertion, especially as nearly 20 million of the 21 million Bitcoin cap have already been mined.

Cathie Wood asserts that the political landscape surrounding cryptocurrency has shifted significantly, becoming a key factor in policy decisions. The ARK Invest founder stated that crypto was 'part of the reason he won the presidency,' referring to President Donald Trump. This political victory has seemingly translated into a need to maintain industry support ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Wood elaborated on the administration's timeline and motivations during a recent episode of the ARK Bitcoin Brainstorm podcast. She argued that the President is looking to secure a productive legacy and avoid the status of a 'lame duck.' Consequently, viewing crypto as a 'path to the future' provides a strong incentive for the administration to deliver tangible results to the sector.

The administration has already taken steps to formalize its engagement with the digital asset industry. This includes:

• Hosting crypto-related events at the White House
• Accepting contributions from firms like Coinbase, Tether, and Ripple for the construction of a new ballroom
• Establishing a new interagency working group chaired by Special Advisor for AI and Crypto David Sacks

The United States strategic Bitcoin reserve was established via executive order shortly into President Donald Trump's second term. Despite the creation of this reserve, Cathie Wood pointed out that its current composition is limited to assets seized through criminal forfeitures. The administration has pledged not to sell these confiscated assets.

Wood observed a distinct hesitation regarding the acquisition of new Bitcoin for the reserve. She stated, 'It seems as though there has been reticence about actually buying bitcoin for the strategic reserve.' She further clarified the current state of the holdings, noting, 'So far, it’s confiscated [bitcoin].'

However, Wood suggests this hesitation is temporary. She referenced the administration's original goals, stating, 'The original intent was to own one million bitcoins, so I actually think they will start buying.' This potential shift from passive holding to active purchasing represents a significant evolution in the government's approach to digital assets.

The Trump administration has not limited its crypto strategy to the executive branch. There has been a concerted effort to establish a regulatory framework through legislative action. The administration has backed efforts such as the GENIUS Act, which aims to formalize rules regarding stablecoins.

In July, a report from David Sacks' working group provided further recommendations for the industry. Key points from the report included:

• Granting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) authority over spot markets for non-security digital assets
• Reaffirming that the Bitcoin reserve and broader crypto stockpile will be administered by the Treasury Department
• Confirming that initial funding will continue to come from forfeited assets

The executive order also directed the Treasury and Commerce Departments to explore 'budget-neutral' methods for acquiring additional Bitcoin. Wood views this budget constraint as the primary hurdle to active purchasing but believes it is not insurmountable.

Cathie Wood views the potential for government purchasing as a critical market inflection point. Her analysis focuses heavily on the concept of scarcity value. With nearly 20 million of the total 21 million Bitcoin supply already mined, the asset is inherently deflationary.

If the United States government were to transition from holding seized assets to actively buying Bitcoin on the open market, the supply dynamics would shift dramatically. Wood explained the impact this would have: 'If we get the U.S. not just adding confiscated bitcoin to a strategic reserve but actually out there buying, that would set off what we’re all waiting for — the scarcity value to reassert itself.'

This potential government demand, layered on top of existing institutional and retail demand, could significantly impact the asset's valuation. Wood's prediction suggests that 2026 may be a pivotal year where political maneuvering and economic scarcity converge to drive the next phase of Bitcoin's adoption.