Bitcoin $150K Forecast Amid Market Shift: Dragonfly Partner’s 2026 Outlook

Dragonfly Capital partner Haseeb Qureshi has laid out a vision for 2026 where Bitcoin’s price could surge past $150,000 even as its grip on the overall crypto market weakens. This bullish forecast, which anticipates capital rotating into networks like Ethereum and Solana, stands in stark contrast to warnings from other analysts of a prolonged bear market and potential declines toward $64,000. Qureshi’s outlook extends to a pivotal year for corporate adoption, predicting major tech firms will embrace crypto wallets.

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a16z Leads $12.9M Round for Pakistan Stablecoin Startup ZAR

Venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz is leading a $12.9 million funding round for fintech startup ZAR, which aims to bring dollar-backed stablecoins to Pakistan’s unbanked population through an innovative distribution model leveraging the country’s extensive network of corner stores and kiosks. This approach represents a significant departure from traditional crypto distribution methods and could potentially reach millions who currently lack access to traditional banking services.

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Crypto Job Market Tightens for Entry-Level Applicants

The crypto job market has become significantly more challenging for entry-level candidates, with only 10% of roles now available at the junior level. This stark contrast to the hiring boom of 2021 reflects the industry’s maturation and recent project failures. New data from Dragonfly Capital reveals a dramatic shift in crypto employment trends that has created substantial barriers for newcomers seeking to enter the digital asset space.

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Avalanche Treasury Co. Merges in $675M Deal for Nasdaq Listing

Avalanche Treasury Co. is merging with Mountain Lake Acquisition Corp. in a landmark $675 million deal targeting a Nasdaq listing in early 2026. The company will leverage an exclusive partnership with the Avalanche Foundation to acquire AVAX tokens at a significant discount while actively driving ecosystem growth, positioning itself as a strategic growth engine rather than a passive holder.

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AVAX Defies Crypto Weakness as Institutional Demand Grows

Avalanche (AVAX) is demonstrating remarkable resilience, trading near $33.63 and rallying approximately 10% in recent days despite broader cryptocurrency market weakness. This outperformance is fueled by significant institutional accumulation efforts, including a major $1 billion capital raise initiative by the Avalanche Foundation, and bullish technical indicators. The Layer-1 token’s ability to defy market trends highlights its growing institutional appeal and positions it for a potential breakout if key resistance levels are conquered.

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Avalanche (AVAX) Eyes 40% Rally on Bullish Breakout

Avalanche (AVAX) has broken out of its multi-month accumulation range, turning the $26.50 resistance into support and reaching $29.99 – its highest level since February. Technical analysts from AltCryptoGems and Rekt Capital indicate that a weekly close above $26, followed by successful retesting, could propel AVAX toward the $35-$45 range. The rally is supported by fundamental developments including the Avalanche Foundation’s plan to raise $1 billion for crypto treasury vehicles that will purchase millions of AVAX from foundation reserves. Additionally, strategic partnerships with Toyota Blockchain Lab for building the Mobility Open Network and with WeBlock for RWA tokenization in South Korea are driving ecosystem growth and investor confidence.

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AVAX Hits 7-Month High on $1B Treasury Fundraising Talks

AVAX reached $29, its highest price since February, after the Financial Times reported the Avalanche Foundation’s advanced talks to establish digital asset treasury companies (DATCOs) with $1 billion in funding. The initiative involves two separate deals: one led by Hivemind Capital targeting $500 million through a Nasdaq-traded company, and another $500 million effort through a Dragonfly Capital SPAC. Proceeds would purchase AVAX tokens at discounted prices, mirroring successful treasury strategies seen with Ethereum and Solana. The news fueled both price momentum and ecosystem activity, with Avalanche recording $900 million in DEX volume (sixth among blockchains) and tokenized real-world assets growing 139% to $450 million in the past month.

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Avalanche Foundation Eyes $1B Treasury Vehicles for AVAX

The Avalanche Foundation is negotiating two separate $500 million digital asset treasury vehicles to purchase AVAX tokens at a discount. Hivemind Capital would lead one vehicle through a Nasdaq-listed company with Anthony Scaramucci advising, while Dragonfly Capital would sponsor a $500 million SPAC. These off-exchange transactions, expected to close soon, would not directly impact spot markets but could influence AVAX prices through signaling effects, float reduction, and institutional validation. This development follows Avalanche’s growing traction in tokenization, including SkyBridge’s $300 million hedge fund tokenization and VanEck’s tokenized Treasury fund on the network. The move coincides with Nasdaq increasing scrutiny of crypto treasury companies, potentially affecting future similar structures.

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Hyperliquid’s USDH Stablecoin Race Heats Up

Hyperliquid’s move to replace USDC with its native stablecoin USDH has sparked a competitive bidding war among eight major organizations including Paxos, Ethena, Agora, and newcomer Native Markets. Native Markets has emerged as the Polymarket favorite with 84% odds, proposing a hybrid reserve model managed by BlackRock and Stripe-owned Bridge. However, concerns have been raised about potential conflicts with Stripe’s own blockchain plans. Meanwhile, established players like Paxos have strengthened their proposals, with Paxos announcing a revised partnership with PayPal that could bring 400M+ users to Hyperliquid. Validators will ultimately decide which proposal best serves the ecosystem’s long-term interests, with the decision carrying significant implications for Hyperliquid’s growth and institutional adoption.

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Dragonfly Capital Faces DOJ Scrutiny Over Tornado Cash Investment

Dragonfly Capital could face federal charges due to its early investment in Tornado Cash developer PepperSec, Inc. The DOJ is reportedly scrutinizing the firm’s 2020 backing of the privacy-focused protocol, which obscures blockchain transactions. Dragonfly’s managing partner, Haseeb Qureshi, stated the firm consulted legal counsel before investing and believes in the importance of open-source privacy technology. The firm is prepared to ‘vigorously defend’ itself if prosecuted.

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Agora Raises $50M to Expand Programmable Stablecoin AUSD

Agora, a stablecoin platform, has raised $50 million in a Series A round led by Paradigm with participation from Dragonfly Capital. The funds will be used to expand AUSD, its programmable stablecoin now available on 13 blockchains, and launch a white-label service enabling enterprises to create branded stablecoins without managing infrastructure. The raise coincides with U.S. legislative efforts, including the GENIUS Act, to regulate stablecoins. Agora’s AUSD is backed by cash, U.S. Treasuries, and repos, with clients like VanEck and Nonco. The move reflects growing institutional interest in stablecoins as foundational tools for finance.

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Tom Schmidt: The DeFi Investor Backing Real Solutions

Tom Schmidt, a Stanford Computer Science graduate and former product manager at Facebook and Instagram, transitioned into crypto through 0x, where he shaped early decentralized exchange protocols. Now at Dragonfly Capital, he backs DeFi projects like DODO, Lido, and Ethena, prioritizing substance over hype. Unlike flashy investors, Schmidt focuses on technical rigor and real-world utility, leveraging his product-building experience to identify protocols that simplify complexity without compromising user value. His quiet yet influential presence—through investments, writings, and podcasts—offers a grounded perspective in an industry often dominated by speculation.

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