ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood acknowledged that the rapid rise of stablecoins, cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value linked to fiat currencies, is reshaping Bitcoin’s role in the financial ecosystem. While Wood remains optimistic about Bitcoin’s fundamental value as “digital gold,” she lowered her price prediction for Bitcoin in 2030, adjusting it down by $300,000 from an initial $1.5 million to $1.2 million per coin.
Stablecoins Eat Into Bitcoin’s Transactional Use
Stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) have surged in popularity as easy and efficient payment tools, especially in emerging markets with unstable currencies. These coins combine the decentralization appeal of cryptocurrencies with the stability of traditional money by pegging their value to the U.S. dollar or other fiat currencies. Previously, many viewed Bitcoin as the prime candidate to become the go-to currency for daily transactions globally. However, Wood pointed out that stablecoins have effectively captured Bitcoin’s expected transactional market, offering faster, cheaper, and more stable options for users needing a reliable medium of exchange.
An excellent example is the use of stablecoins in countries experiencing hyperinflation or restricting currency flows. For instance, in Venezuela, stablecoins have become a lifeline, enabling residents to preserve value and conduct commerce without relying on volatile local currency. Such adoption patterns demonstrate why investors and analysts must consider stablecoins’ growing dominance when evaluating Bitcoin’s future price potential.
Despite lowering her price target, Wood emphasized that Bitcoin’s essential identity as digital gold remains intact. Digital gold refers to Bitcoin’s role as a store of value, similar to how gold is used to preserve wealth over time. Bitcoin’s fixed supply—capped at 21 million coins—adds scarcity, which is crucial to its value proposition.
More About Cathie Wood’s View on Bitcoin
ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood forecasts the cryptocurrency market could reach $25 trillion by 2030, with Bitcoin making up the majority of this valuation. This projection underscores her strong long-term optimism about digital assets, even as she adjusts some expectations.
CATHIE WOOD: “BITCOIN AND CRYPTO MARKET TO HIT $25 TRILLION BY 2030”
ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood forecasted that the total cryptocurrency market could reach $25 trillion by 2030, with the vast majority of that valuation coming from Bitcoin, underscoring her long-term bullish… https://t.co/LG4aYGr4Pa https://t.co/DTXAzJ8oRc
— Crypto Town Hall (@Crypto_TownHall) October 29, 2025
Wood highlights Bitcoin’s evolving role as “digital gold,” serving as a store of value rather than the primary transactional currency, especially as stablecoins gain ground in everyday payments. Her outlook reflects a balanced view of the crypto ecosystem, where Bitcoin’s scarcity and institutional adoption drive significant value, supporting a forward-thinking investment perspective in the space.