Tether CEO warns of AI bubble risks: could become the biggest external factor influencing Bitcoin prices in 2026

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino recently stated that the artificial intelligence (AI) bubble could become one of the main risk factors affecting Bitcoin price trends by 2026. As AI becomes a focal point for global capital pursuit, he believes that the rapid expansion in this field is accumulating potential instability in financial markets and may transmit through sentiment and liquidity to the cryptocurrency market.

Ardoino pointed out that the investment boom in the artificial intelligence industry has driven rapid valuation increases in the short term, but if a bubble bursts in the future, it could trigger risk aversion on a global scale. Bitcoin, as a risk asset, often reacts to sudden macro shocks and market panic, and may be under pressure in extreme cases. However, he also emphasized that this does not mean AI will weaken Bitcoin’s long-term value foundation.

In his view, the current Bitcoin market structure is significantly different from early cycles. In the past, Bitcoin prices heavily depended on retail sentiment, and once the market turned, sell-offs were often severe. Now, more institutional investors participate through Bitcoin ETFs, fund products, and corporate balance sheets, bringing more stable funding sources and deeper liquidity to the market. This change helps buffer external shocks and reduces the probability of extreme declines.

Ardoino further stated that institutional investors generally have longer investment horizons and more mature risk management systems, which means that even amid market volatility triggered by the AI bubble or other macro events, Bitcoin is less likely to experience the large-scale crashes seen in the past. Price corrections may still occur, but the magnitude is expected to be more moderate.

From a long-term perspective, he believes Bitcoin has gradually been recognized by the market as an important tool for hedging inflation and currency devaluation. As infrastructure improves, regulatory environments become clearer, and application scenarios expand, Bitcoin’s market resilience is strengthening.

Looking ahead to 2026, Ardoino’s view reflects an important shift: the key risks influencing Bitcoin are moving from within the crypto industry to broader global trends, such as the AI boom itself. Nevertheless, he remains confident in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects, believing that with increased institutional participation and global adoption, Bitcoin will be better equipped to handle potential market storms in the future.