Crypto in '26: Raoul's Vision or We Get Rekt? | Raoul Pal and Mando | REKT Vision (January 09, 2025)
Crypto in '26: Raoul's Vision or We Get Rekt? | Raoul Pal and Mando | REKT Vision (January 09, 2025)
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Bitcoin (BTC) is viewed as a significant catch-up trade, with analysts seeing a high probability of a rally to $100,000 over the next month. The convergence of AI and crypto is the most important investment theme, focusing on the infrastructure that will power a new economy of AI agents. As a direct play on this theme, Bittensor (TAO) is highlighted for its strong chart pattern that suggests a large upward price move is imminent. High-performance blockchains like Solana (SOL) and especially Sui (SUI) are considered essential infrastructure investments to support this AI-driven activity. For a longer-term strategy, consider holding Ethereum (ETH) as a foundational bet on the growth of the digital art and NFT market.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • Sentiment: Bullish.
  • Context: The speakers discuss that Bitcoin has been underperforming other assets like gold and stocks, which they attribute to a temporary market dislocation from the previous year. They refer to this as the "alligator jaws" chart, where crypto has decoupled from liquidity trends that other assets have followed.
  • Raoul Pal believes this underperformance is temporary and presents a significant opportunity. Based on his "Everything Code" model which tracks global liquidity, he states that Bitcoin's fair value should be between $140,000 and $160,000.
  • The recent price action saw a rally to the $94k-$95k level before entering a period of chop. It has found solid footing after testing the $80k level multiple times.
  • One speaker, Mando, notes that while he has reduced some crypto exposure, he believes there is a "very good chance" for Bitcoin to rally to $100,000 over the next month.
  • The speakers remind the audience that crypto volatility often means explosive upside moves, noting that 40-50% monthly gains for Bitcoin are not uncommon historically, a fact many may have forgotten during the recent low-volatility period.

Takeaways

  • Bitcoin is viewed as significantly undervalued relative to global liquidity trends. The thesis is that it's a "catch-up" trade waiting to happen.
  • A potential price target of $140,000 - $160,000 was mentioned, representing where the price might be if it had tracked liquidity like other major assets.
  • A shorter-term rally to $100,000 is considered highly possible in the near future.
  • Investors should be prepared for a return of high volatility, which could lead to rapid and significant price increases.

AI & Crypto

  • Sentiment: Extremely Bullish.
  • Context: The AI theme is described as the "biggest race in all of humanity." A major "step change" is the emergence of AI agents, highlighted by Anthropic's Claude Opus model, which can autonomously perform tasks on a user's computer.
  • This development is expected to fuel a new wave of innovation, with AI agents needing to transact and access data, creating a massive use case for crypto.
  • The speakers believe that blockchains capable of high-speed and high-throughput transactions will be the primary beneficiaries as they can support the activity of millions of AI agents.
  • The conversation suggests that the value of software companies could decline over time as AI makes it possible to create applications almost instantly, with no moat.

Takeaways

  • The intersection of AI and crypto is a primary investment theme for the year. The key is to identify the infrastructure that will power the coming AI agent economy.
  • Investors should look at high-performance blockchains as the "picks and shovels" of this new era.
  • The development of AI agents that can build, trade, and transact on their own will likely be a major narrative driving crypto markets.

Bittensor (TAO)

  • Sentiment: Bullish.
  • Context: Raoul Pal mentions Bittensor as a project he is following with interest, noting that well-known investor Barry Silbert is also bullish on it.
  • TAO is described as a "rewards mechanism for these AI models," placing it directly within the AI-crypto narrative.
  • Raoul highlights the weekly chart for TAO, calling it a "killer chart" and pointing out a "big flag pattern" which he believes suggests a "big price move to come."

Takeaways

  • Bittensor (TAO) is presented as a direct play on the AI theme, focused on incentivizing AI model training.
  • The technical chart pattern is viewed as very strong, indicating potential for a significant upward move. This could be an asset for investors looking for pure-play exposure to the AI narrative in crypto.

High-Performance Blockchains: Solana (SOL) & Sui (SUI)

  • Sentiment: Bullish.
  • Context: Both Solana and Sui are mentioned as the type of blockchains that are well-positioned to benefit from the AI agent narrative.
  • The core reason is their ability to "process at the speed the agents require," which is seen as a challenge for Ethereum's mainnet.
  • Sui was specifically noted for its recent strong performance, having rallied 40% in a week and a half.
  • Raoul Pal also discloses that his personal crypto portfolio is now "Mainly Sui."

Takeaways

  • SOL and SUI are considered prime candidates to become the foundational layers for on-chain AI activity due to their speed and scalability.
  • Investors looking to capitalize on the AI theme could consider these Layer 1 blockchains as essential infrastructure plays.
  • Raoul Pal's significant personal allocation to SUI is a strong vote of confidence in the project.

Ethereum (ETH) & Digital Art (NFTs)

  • Sentiment: Bullish (Long-Term).
  • Context: Raoul Pal holds "a lot of ETH" primarily as a bet on the future of NFTs and digital art.
  • His thesis is that in an AI-driven world where many things are reproducible, unique human creations become extremely valuable. Digital art is the "art of the culture of the internet."
  • He believes that as the crypto market cap potentially grows from $3 trillion to $100 trillion, a significant portion of that new wealth will flow into art, which is "upstream of all wealth."
  • He compares this to investing in classic cars, advising to "buy as much quality stuff as you possibly can and stick it away and then just wait." He mentions recently purchasing a one-of-one piece from the artist XCOPY.

Takeaways

  • Ethereum is viewed as a strong long-term hold, not just as a blockchain but as the foundational settlement layer for the digital art market.
  • Investing in high-quality, culturally significant NFTs is presented as a long-term (10+ year) wealth-building strategy, acting as a hedge against a future dominated by AI.
  • This is not a short-term flipping strategy but a "buy and hold" approach focused on acquiring the "blue chips" of digital art.

Physical Collectibles & Artisan Goods

  • Sentiment: Bullish.
  • Context: This theme is an extension of the digital art thesis. In a world of AI and mass production, "intricately made human items" are expected to command a significant premium.
  • This includes assets like vintage cars, handmade watches, and other artisan goods where the human touch and story are irreplaceable.
  • Examples given include the Lamborghini Countach and old Land Rover Defenders, which have seen massive appreciation as they became nostalgic, iconic items.

Takeaways

  • A "barbell strategy" for the future involves leaning into AI while also investing in unique, human-centric assets.
  • Investors can look for iconic items from the current generation that may become the valuable collectibles of the future. The value lies in the nostalgia, human craftsmanship, and cultural significance that cannot be replicated by a machine.

Gold

  • Sentiment: Bullish.
  • Context: Gold's recent outperformance is discussed. Raoul's analysis suggests that gold leads global liquidity by about 12 months.
  • He believes the gold rally is front-running a major future easing of financial conditions, which will be necessary for the government to afford its massive interest payments.
  • Because this easing has not fully occurred yet, he believes the "metals trade is not done yet" and can continue through the end of the year.

Takeaways

  • The rally in gold is expected to continue, driven by macro expectations of lower interest rates and more liquidity.
  • Gold is acting as a leading indicator for a broader macro environment that will also be favorable for risk assets like crypto once the "catch-up" occurs.

Rocket Lab (RKLB)

  • Sentiment: Bullish.
  • Context: This was the one specific stock mentioned that has performed very well for the speakers.
  • Rocket Lab is described as an appealing investment because it's a "space company that's actually sending rockets into space and it's tradable" on the public market.

Takeaways

  • For investors looking for equity exposure to the space exploration theme, RKLB is highlighted as a successful and accessible pure-play investment.
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Video Description
☀️ Crypto Gathering Miami 2026: not everyone wants the full conference sprint. That’s why there’s the Social Pass ($300): welcome drinks, beach party, and Drinks with @RaoulGMI LIVE 🍷 ☀️ Right now it’s BOGO... bring a friend or split the cost ☀️ Get it now: https://rvtv.io/4hYsZkc This week on REKT Vision, Mando, Rekt co-founder and author of the Mando Minutes newsletter, is joined by Raoul Pal, Real Vision co-founder and CEO. They discuss what is in store for markets, particularly crypto, in 2026. 🔥 *Download Raoul Pal's 5-year investing roadmap for free:* https://rvtv.io/41fVHWF About Real Vision™: We arm you with the knowledge, tools, and network to succeed on your financial journey. Connect with Real Vision™ Online: Website: https://www.realvision.com/join Twitter: https://rvtv.io/twitter Instagram: https://rvtv.io/instagram Linkedin: https://rvtv.io/linkedin 👉 Join our Discord channel and meet like-minded people: discord.com/invite/kYQY2Nd45Y
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