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CNBC· August 21, 2026

Kalshi Traders Don't Expect Bitcoin Rally to Extend Much Further This Year

On the prediction market platform Kalshi, where users place bets on future events, a consensus has emerged: most traders believe bitcoin will finish 2026 near where it's currently trading. This is a fairly muted forecast given the cryptocurrency's history of sharp, hard-to-predict price swings in recent years. Bets on prediction markets reflect the collective view of participants on the likelihood of various outcomes and are often seen as an alternative sentiment gauge distinct from traditional investor surveys. Traders' caution may stem from uncertainty around future regulatory policy, interest rate trends, and overall risk appetite in markets. For retail investors interested in crypto, such data from prediction platforms offers an additional reference point on how the market is pricing the odds of further bitcoin gains or a pullback.