Fiat Currency Depreciation Opens Opportunity for Bitcoin $180,000 in 2026

As the world faces the ongoing challenge of fiat money depreciation, veteran investor Dan Tapiero sees crypto as not just a speculative asset, but a strategic investment solution. With Bitcoin predicting to reach $180,000 in the current cycle and the increasing adoption of stablecoins, 2026 is a crucial year for investors looking to hedge against the erosion of fiat currency values.

Stablecoins and Infrastructure: A Response to Weakening Fiat Money

Tapiero, founder of 50T Funds, emphasized that the biggest opportunities of 2026 will not only be in traditional crypto assets, but in the ecosystem’s supporting infrastructure. Stablecoins have shown tremendous growth, with transaction volumes reaching $33 trillion by 2025, a significant jump from $19.7 trillion the previous year.

This growth reflects the massive adoption of traditional companies that are finally integrating blockchain-based payment channels. “There’s a whole growing world around traditional players trying to figure out how to integrate stablecoins into their operations,” Tapiero said. In the context of the depreciation of global fiat money—not just the US dollar but the entire fiat currency as a whole—stablecoins offer a more stable and efficient payment alternative.

Bitcoin as a Macro Hedge in the Midst of Fiat Money Volatility

Bitcoin remains the main focus of Tapiero’s investment thesis. He identified a combination of bullish factors that drove the appreciation of this leading digital asset. First, declining global interest rates create a conducive environment for risky assets. Second, large-scale government spending on AI infrastructure results in a significant economic stimulus effect.

“It’s very bullish for bitcoin,” Tapiero said, referring to the global push that led to the depreciation of fiat currencies around the world. In this context, Bitcoin serves as more than just an investment—it becomes a store of value against the instability of fiat money. Bitcoin’s price is currently at $84.51K with a 5.31% drop in the last 24 hours, but Tapiero remains confident in the long-term target of $180,000.

Diversified Portfolio for the Era of Fiat Currency Instability

For beginner investors with a $10,000 allocation, Tapiero recommends a simple but effective strategy: diversification between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. “I think you can simply divide it between bitcoin, ether, and solana, and decide how you want to divide it,” he suggested.

With Ethereum’s current price at $2.81K and Solana’s at $117.40, investors have the flexibility to adjust their allocation based on their respective risk profiles. This strategy ensures exposure to three leading blockchain ecosystems that have proven their resilience in the face of market volatility and fiat money depreciation.

Other Opportunities: Tokenization, AI-Blockchain, and Beware of Crypto Treasuries

Beyond the core portfolio, Tapiero sees growth potential in several emerging trends. The tokenization of traditional assets, the convergence of blockchain with AI technology, and on-chain prediction markets demonstrate real and relevant use cases.

However, he showed skepticism towards recent trends such as the company’s crypto treasury. “There are no defensive fortifications,” he said, criticizing the long-term value proposition of the majority of these projects. “I really don’t see what the long-term value proposition is for 95% of them.”

Closing: Crypto Enters the Era of Real Utility

The success of the crypto ecosystem in 2026 will be determined by its ability to provide practical solutions, not just speculation. In the context of the ongoing depreciation of fiat money and global monetary instability, stablecoins and Bitcoin offer concrete value to users and investors.

“The reason why stablecoins as well as payment and financial aspects are evolving faster is because people put money first,” Tapiero concluded. With infrastructure maturing and widespread adoption, crypto is no longer just about digital speculation—it’s becoming an essential component of hedging strategies against future erosion of the value of fiat money.