Bitcoin ATH Could Trigger ADA Value Leakage, Says Cardano Founder

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson says a new Bitcoin all-time high could push capital into ADA and other altcoins, reshaping the crypto market.

Rich by Coin

2026-01-09

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has said that the next Bitcoin push to an all-time high would benefit the overall crypto market, including ADA. He suggested that once Bitcoin reaches a new ATH, some value would flow from BTC into altcoins such as ADA. According to Hoskinson, Bitcoin is likely to set a new record high, and this momentum could reignite investor interest across the entire digital asset space.

Typically, when Bitcoin rallies, capital flows into BTC first as investors prioritize liquidity and relative safety. However, as Bitcoin’s upward momentum begins to cool, a portion of that capital often ‘leaks’ into altcoins in search of higher returns. Hoskinson emphasized that this pattern of value rotation from Bitcoin to altcoins is a recurring feature of crypto market cycles. He pointed to previous bull runs, particularly in 2021, when Bitcoin’s surge to around $68,000 coincided with explosive gains across major altcoins.

During that period, Ethereum set a new all-time high, while ADA climbed to above $3. However, Hoskinson cautioned against assuming the current market cycle will play out in the same proportions as past rallies. While he acknowledged that Bitcoin reaching new highs could support altcoins, he emphasized that the magnitude of those gains remains uncertain, noting that it is still too early in the cycle to draw firm conclusions. In October 2025, when Bitcoin climbed to a record $126,198, only a handful of crypto assets benefited from the momentum. Meanwhile, many other altcoins, including ADA, experienced muted growth and failed to reach new historic highs.

Nonetheless, Hoskinson remains optimistic that a new phase of Bitcoin-led price momentum will emerge, eventually benefiting altcoins. He has projected that Bitcoin could reach a new high of $250,000 toward the end of this year. This potential outcome would lift its market cap to roughly $5 trillion. In his view, such a surge would create a ripple effect across the broader crypto market, with value flowing from Bitcoin into altcoins, including ADA.