Wall
Street’s most optimistic Bitcoin advocates are retreating from their boldest BTC
price predictions. After watching the leading cryptocurrency plunge nearly 30%
from its October peak above $126,000, major financial institutions are
recalibrating their expectations, though their long-term bullish thesis remains
intact.
Standard
Chartered, long a vocal supporter of digital assets, made the most visible
adjustment. The bank slashed its Bitcoin price forecast by half, now
projecting $150,000 by end of 2026 instead of the previously
anticipated $300,000. Even more telling, their ambitious $500,000 target has
been pushed back two full years to 2030.
Bernstein
analysts joined the revision chorus, settling on the same $150,000 figure for
late 2026, with expectations to approach $200,000 by the end of 2027.
In this
article, I look at what has changed, how high bitcoin could rise, and provide a
price forecast for 2026.
Geoffrey
Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, points
to a fundamental shift in Bitcoin’s demand structure. Companies using Bitcoin
as a treasury asset, the so-called DATs (Digital Asset Treasuries), no longer
possess the valuations or incentives to continue aggressive accumulation.
“We
think that Bitcoin buying by DATs has run its course, while we expect ETF
inflows to resume periodically,” Kendrick stated. “We expect a
consolidation rather than outright selling.”
This leaves
spot Bitcoin ETFs as the primary support pillar, and recent data suggests that
foundation is cracking. BlackRock’s IBIT fund experienced $2.3 billion in
outflows last month, its largest monthly redemption and only the second monthly
withdrawal this year. While this represents just 3% of total assets, the
psychological impact on market sentiment has been substantial.
Across all
twelve spot Bitcoin ETFs, Monday saw $60 million in net outflows before
Tuesday’s rally pushed
Bitcoin back above $94,400, its highest level in three weeks.
As of today
(Wednesday), 10 December 2025, Bitcoin trades at $92,257, down 0.4%
in the past 24 hours.
You can also check my previous Bitcoin price predictions and analyses. And if you like my work, feel free to follow me on X!
This New Bitcoin Price Prediction From Saxo Bank Warns BTC Could Fall to Zero
Tom Lee Cuts $250K Bitcoin Price Prediction on Thanksgiving, but Cathie Wood Stays BTC Bull
BTC Technical Analysis
Points Lower Before Higher
My
technical analysis reveals a concerning pattern that suggests further downside
before any meaningful recovery. Bitcoin has been consolidating for nearly a
month below the critical resistance zone between $92,000 and $94,000, a
level I’ve highlighted repeatedly in previous analyses.
Yesterday’s
brief test of two-week highs was immediately rejected at this resistance,
confirming its strength. The local support sits around $84,000, marking
eight-month lows. From the all-time high, Bitcoin has surrendered 30% of its
value.
The
formation of a death cross, where
the 50-day exponential moving average crosses below the 200-day EMA, suggests
the medium-term trend remains bearish. According to my Fibonacci analysis, the
next major support zone targets $74,000,
aligning with April’s yearly lows. This level represents both the 61.8%
Fibonacci retracement and a 100% Fibonacci extension from recent price action.
Bitcoin price technical analysis. Source: Tradingview.com
I expect
real accumulation and a return to upward momentum at the $74,000 level. While I
don’t anticipate Bitcoin reclaiming glory highs this year given limited time
remaining, a calm return above $100,000 is possible. However, extended
consolidation throughout next year also remains likely.
Institutional Money Still
Flowing Despite Pullback
Despite the
sharp correction, institutional commitment appears more resilient than retail
sentiment. Paul Howard, Director at Wincent, notes that “Strategy has been
a large buyer in the past week,” making it difficult to identify the next
catalyst for breaking above $100,000.
Bernstein’s
analysis reveals that retail investors hold roughly three-quarters of spot
Bitcoin ETF assets, while institutional ownership climbed from 20% at the start
of 2024 to 28% currently.
Analysts
Gautam Chhugani, Mahika Sapra, and Sanskar Chindalia argue that outflows
representing less than 5% of total assets indicate “Bitcoin is now in an
elongated bull cycle with more sticky institutional buying offsetting any
retail panic selling.”
The firm
maintains an ultra-long-term target of $1 million by end of 2033,
suggesting current turbulence represents a minor speed bump in Bitcoin’s
multi-decade trajectory.
Fed Policy Remains Key
Driver
Market
participants are laser-focused on the Federal Reserve’s December meeting.
Howard expects “another 25bps cut from the Fed in December that is already
priced into the market. This should help maintain majors pricing in the current
$85,000-$100,000 band.”
However, he
warns that deviations from expectations could trigger significant moves:
“In the event the Fed doesn’t cut rates, we can expect majors to retest
lower bounds, whilst a bullish >25bp cut is likely to spook the
markets.”
Joel
Kruger, crypto strategist at LMAX, observes that “price action has
remained resilient despite mixed equity performance, underscoring that recent
gains have been driven less by global risk appetite and more by crypto-specific
catalysts.”
Bitcoin Price Long-Term
Projections Remain Ambitious
Despite
near-term caution, my technical analysis aligns with institutional bullishness
for the longer horizon. Using Fibonacci extensions to measure the
April-to-October rally followed by the current correction, two major upside
targets emerge:
The first
target sits at $132,000, representing a 100% Fibonacci extension, roughly
5% above the previous all-time high. This level could be tested in 2026 if
accumulation at lower levels proves successful.
The second
target reaches $163,000, based on a 161.8% Fibonacci extension.
This ambitious level would require sustained institutional adoption, favorable
regulatory developments, and accommodative monetary policy to materialize.
Standard
Chartered’s delayed $500,000 target for 2030 and Bernstein’s $1 million
projection for 2033 suggest Wall Street expects Bitcoin to continue its
long-term upward trajectory despite periodic setbacks.
Bitcoin Price Predictions
Table 2026 and Beyond
|
Institution/Analyst |
Target Price |
Timeline |
Change from Current ($92,257) |
Notes |
|
Standard Chartered |
$150,000 |
End of 2026 |
+63% |
|
|
Standard Chartered |
$500,000 |
2030 |
+442% |
Delayed from 2028 |
|
Bernstein |
$150,000 |
End of 2026 |
+63% |
|
|
Bernstein |
$200,000 |
End of 2027 |
+117% |
Approaching target |
|
Bernstein |
$1,000,000 |
End of 2033 |
+984% |
Ultra-long-term target |
|
Technical Analysis |
$74,000-$76,000 |
Near-term (accumulation zone) |
-20% to -18% |
161.8% Fibo extension, April lows |
|
Technical Analysis |
$132,000 |
Medium-term 2026 |
+43% |
100% Fibo extension |
|
Technical Analysis |
$163,000 |
Long-term 2026-2027 |
+77% |
161.8% Fibo extension |
However, if
Bitcoin fails to hold the $74,000-$76,000 support zone, the next logical target
drops toward $60,000, a level that would represent a more typical 50%
correction from all-time highs.
Bitcoin Price Analysis,
FAQ
What is the Bitcoin price
prediction for 2026?
Standard
Chartered and Bernstein both project Bitcoin will reach $150,000 by end of
2026, down from previous forecasts of $300,000. Technical analysis suggests
potential targets between $132,000 and $163,000 if accumulation occurs around
$74,000 support levels.
How high can Bitcoin go in
the long term?
Standard
Chartered delays its $500,000 target to 2030, while Bernstein maintains a $1
million projection by 2033. These ultra-long-term forecasts assume continued
institutional adoption, favorable regulation , and Bitcoin’s evolution beyond
four-year cycles.
Why will Bitcoin surge
from current levels?
Potential
catalysts include pro-crypto US regulatory changes, resumption of ETF inflows,
Federal Reserve rate cuts, corporate treasury adoptions, and Bitcoin’s growing
treatment as a standalone asset class rather than correlated risk asset.
Is Bitcoin a good
investment at $92,000?
Technical
analysis suggests waiting for deeper correction to $74,000-$76,000 accumulation
zone before major buying. Current levels represent consolidation below
resistance, with 30% downside from ATH creating uncertainty about immediate
direction.
When will Bitcoin reach
new all-time high?
Analysts
suggest 2026 for potential new highs above $126,000, contingent on completing
current correction, establishing support, and benefiting from pro-crypto
policies. Technical targets point to $132,000-$163,000 range.
What is realistic Bitcoin
price target for 2026?
The
convergence of major institutions on $150,000 represents consensus
“realistic” target, reflecting 63% gain from current levels. This
requires renewed institutional demand, favorable Fed policy, and successful
test of support levels.
Wall
Street’s most optimistic Bitcoin advocates are retreating from their boldest BTC
price predictions. After watching the leading cryptocurrency plunge nearly 30%
from its October peak above $126,000, major financial institutions are
recalibrating their expectations, though their long-term bullish thesis remains
intact.
Standard
Chartered, long a vocal supporter of digital assets, made the most visible
adjustment. The bank slashed its Bitcoin price forecast by half, now
projecting $150,000 by end of 2026 instead of the previously
anticipated $300,000. Even more telling, their ambitious $500,000 target has
been pushed back two full years to 2030.
Bernstein
analysts joined the revision chorus, settling on the same $150,000 figure for
late 2026, with expectations to approach $200,000 by the end of 2027.
In this
article, I look at what has changed, how high bitcoin could rise, and provide a
price forecast for 2026.
Geoffrey
Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, points
to a fundamental shift in Bitcoin’s demand structure. Companies using Bitcoin
as a treasury asset, the so-called DATs (Digital Asset Treasuries), no longer
possess the valuations or incentives to continue aggressive accumulation.
“We
think that Bitcoin buying by DATs has run its course, while we expect ETF
inflows to resume periodically,” Kendrick stated. “We expect a
consolidation rather than outright selling.”
This leaves
spot Bitcoin ETFs as the primary support pillar, and recent data suggests that
foundation is cracking. BlackRock’s IBIT fund experienced $2.3 billion in
outflows last month, its largest monthly redemption and only the second monthly
withdrawal this year. While this represents just 3% of total assets, the
psychological impact on market sentiment has been substantial.
Across all
twelve spot Bitcoin ETFs, Monday saw $60 million in net outflows before
Tuesday’s rally pushed
Bitcoin back above $94,400, its highest level in three weeks.
As of today
(Wednesday), 10 December 2025, Bitcoin trades at $92,257, down 0.4%
in the past 24 hours.
You can also check my previous Bitcoin price predictions and analyses. And if you like my work, feel free to follow me on X!
This New Bitcoin Price Prediction From Saxo Bank Warns BTC Could Fall to Zero
Tom Lee Cuts $250K Bitcoin Price Prediction on Thanksgiving, but Cathie Wood Stays BTC Bull
BTC Technical Analysis
Points Lower Before Higher
My
technical analysis reveals a concerning pattern that suggests further downside
before any meaningful recovery. Bitcoin has been consolidating for nearly a
month below the critical resistance zone between $92,000 and $94,000, a
level I’ve highlighted repeatedly in previous analyses.
Yesterday’s
brief test of two-week highs was immediately rejected at this resistance,
confirming its strength. The local support sits around $84,000, marking
eight-month lows. From the all-time high, Bitcoin has surrendered 30% of its
value.
The
formation of a death cross, where
the 50-day exponential moving average crosses below the 200-day EMA, suggests
the medium-term trend remains bearish. According to my Fibonacci analysis, the
next major support zone targets $74,000,
aligning with April’s yearly lows. This level represents both the 61.8%
Fibonacci retracement and a 100% Fibonacci extension from recent price action.
Bitcoin price technical analysis. Source: Tradingview.com
I expect
real accumulation and a return to upward momentum at the $74,000 level. While I
don’t anticipate Bitcoin reclaiming glory highs this year given limited time
remaining, a calm return above $100,000 is possible. However, extended
consolidation throughout next year also remains likely.
Institutional Money Still
Flowing Despite Pullback
Despite the
sharp correction, institutional commitment appears more resilient than retail
sentiment. Paul Howard, Director at Wincent, notes that “Strategy has been
a large buyer in the past week,” making it difficult to identify the next
catalyst for breaking above $100,000.
Bernstein’s
analysis reveals that retail investors hold roughly three-quarters of spot
Bitcoin ETF assets, while institutional ownership climbed from 20% at the start
of 2024 to 28% currently.
Analysts
Gautam Chhugani, Mahika Sapra, and Sanskar Chindalia argue that outflows
representing less than 5% of total assets indicate “Bitcoin is now in an
elongated bull cycle with more sticky institutional buying offsetting any
retail panic selling.”
The firm
maintains an ultra-long-term target of $1 million by end of 2033,
suggesting current turbulence represents a minor speed bump in Bitcoin’s
multi-decade trajectory.
Fed Policy Remains Key
Driver
Market
participants are laser-focused on the Federal Reserve’s December meeting.
Howard expects “another 25bps cut from the Fed in December that is already
priced into the market. This should help maintain majors pricing in the current
$85,000-$100,000 band.”
However, he
warns that deviations from expectations could trigger significant moves:
“In the event the Fed doesn’t cut rates, we can expect majors to retest
lower bounds, whilst a bullish >25bp cut is likely to spook the
markets.”
Joel
Kruger, crypto strategist at LMAX, observes that “price action has
remained resilient despite mixed equity performance, underscoring that recent
gains have been driven less by global risk appetite and more by crypto-specific
catalysts.”
Bitcoin Price Long-Term
Projections Remain Ambitious
Despite
near-term caution, my technical analysis aligns with institutional bullishness
for the longer horizon. Using Fibonacci extensions to measure the
April-to-October rally followed by the current correction, two major upside
targets emerge:
The first
target sits at $132,000, representing a 100% Fibonacci extension, roughly
5% above the previous all-time high. This level could be tested in 2026 if
accumulation at lower levels proves successful.
The second
target reaches $163,000, based on a 161.8% Fibonacci extension.
This ambitious level would require sustained institutional adoption, favorable
regulatory developments, and accommodative monetary policy to materialize.
Standard
Chartered’s delayed $500,000 target for 2030 and Bernstein’s $1 million
projection for 2033 suggest Wall Street expects Bitcoin to continue its
long-term upward trajectory despite periodic setbacks.
Bitcoin Price Predictions
Table 2026 and Beyond
|
Institution/Analyst |
Target Price |
Timeline |
Change from Current ($92,257) |
Notes |
|
Standard Chartered |
$150,000 |
End of 2026 |
+63% |
|
|
Standard Chartered |
$500,000 |
2030 |
+442% |
Delayed from 2028 |
|
Bernstein |
$150,000 |
End of 2026 |
+63% |
|
|
Bernstein |
$200,000 |
End of 2027 |
+117% |
Approaching target |
|
Bernstein |
$1,000,000 |
End of 2033 |
+984% |
Ultra-long-term target |
|
Technical Analysis |
$74,000-$76,000 |
Near-term (accumulation zone) |
-20% to -18% |
161.8% Fibo extension, April lows |
|
Technical Analysis |
$132,000 |
Medium-term 2026 |
+43% |
100% Fibo extension |
|
Technical Analysis |
$163,000 |
Long-term 2026-2027 |
+77% |
161.8% Fibo extension |
However, if
Bitcoin fails to hold the $74,000-$76,000 support zone, the next logical target
drops toward $60,000, a level that would represent a more typical 50%
correction from all-time highs.
Bitcoin Price Analysis,
FAQ
What is the Bitcoin price
prediction for 2026?
Standard
Chartered and Bernstein both project Bitcoin will reach $150,000 by end of
2026, down from previous forecasts of $300,000. Technical analysis suggests
potential targets between $132,000 and $163,000 if accumulation occurs around
$74,000 support levels.
How high can Bitcoin go in
the long term?
Standard
Chartered delays its $500,000 target to 2030, while Bernstein maintains a $1
million projection by 2033. These ultra-long-term forecasts assume continued
institutional adoption, favorable regulation , and Bitcoin’s evolution beyond
four-year cycles.
Why will Bitcoin surge
from current levels?
Potential
catalysts include pro-crypto US regulatory changes, resumption of ETF inflows,
Federal Reserve rate cuts, corporate treasury adoptions, and Bitcoin’s growing
treatment as a standalone asset class rather than correlated risk asset.
Is Bitcoin a good
investment at $92,000?
Technical
analysis suggests waiting for deeper correction to $74,000-$76,000 accumulation
zone before major buying. Current levels represent consolidation below
resistance, with 30% downside from ATH creating uncertainty about immediate
direction.
When will Bitcoin reach
new all-time high?
Analysts
suggest 2026 for potential new highs above $126,000, contingent on completing
current correction, establishing support, and benefiting from pro-crypto
policies. Technical targets point to $132,000-$163,000 range.
What is realistic Bitcoin
price target for 2026?
The
convergence of major institutions on $150,000 represents consensus
“realistic” target, reflecting 63% gain from current levels. This
requires renewed institutional demand, favorable Fed policy, and successful
test of support levels.
