A new forecast from Citigroup has reignited optimism
in the crypto market, projecting bitcoin to climb as high as $143,000 over the
next 12 months.
The Wall Street bank argues that improving U.S.
regulation, surging ETF inflows, and renewed investor appetite could fuel a
significant recovery after a turbulent year for digital assets.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Citi’s analysts
— Alex Saunders, Dirk Willer, and Vinh Vo — believe the recent shift in U.S.
policy has changed the tone around digital assets.
Lawmakers’ progress on the so-called Clarity Act,
which aims to define the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, could
accelerate institutional participation and stabilize market sentiment.
The brokerage expects bitcoin’s price to mirror
strengthening user activity and improving liquidity conditions in the broader
market.
According to SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net
outflows of $161 million, while spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $96.62 million in
outflows, extending their losing streak to six consecutive days. In contrast,
spot Solana ETFs attracted $13.16 million in net inflows, and spot XRP ETFs
gained $30.41 million.
On Dec. 18 (ET), spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of $161 million. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $96.62 million, marking six consecutive days of net outflows. Spot Solana ETFs posted net inflows of $13.16 million, while spot XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $30.41… pic.twitter.com/Y5JAEuIGUc
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 19, 2025
In Citi’s base case, bitcoin’s 12-month target stands
at $143,000 — an approximate 62% gain from its current price near $88,000. The
bullish scenario pushes that expectation even higher, to $189,000, driven by
“increased end-investor demand” and expanded ETF participation. Ether,
meanwhile, could rise 46% to around $4,304.
However, a downturn remains possible. Under its bear
case, Citi projects bitcoin retreating to $78,500, citing global recession
risks that could drain risk appetite from the market. In such conditions, ether
could fall to about $1,270.
Trump’s Pledge and the Year of Recovery
Digital assets have rebounded since U.S. President
Donald Trump announced his administration’s support for crypto development
earlier this year. His stance prompted regulators to ease off litigation
against major platforms and to explore tailored rules for crypto trading,
custody, and taxation.
Still, the sector endured a sharp correction in
November, with bitcoin losing more than $18,000 in one month — its steepest
drop since 2021. Strategy, the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, trimmed its
2025 earnings outlook, highlighting how market volatility continues to test
investor confidence.
Analysts Eye Key Support Levels
Citi highlights $70,000 as a critical price floor —
roughly bitcoin’s level before Trump’s 2024 election victory. As long as the
price holds above that threshold, analysts consider upward momentum intact.
They argue that ETF-driven demand, coupled with a firming equity market,
provides a base for crypto’s next growth phase.
Bitcoin daily price chart, Source: TradingView
At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $88,298,
representing a 3% increase in the past day and a 2% decline in the past week. Across
the crypto market, the market is looking bullish. Ethereum is up nearly 8%,
despite a nearly 4% decline in the past week.
Technically, Bitcoin is in a consolidation, trading at
around a price range last seen in April. The price is locked in within a
support of $84,320 and a price resistance of $93,044. The RSI is neither in the
overbought or at the oversold conditions.
A new forecast from Citigroup has reignited optimism
in the crypto market, projecting bitcoin to climb as high as $143,000 over the
next 12 months.
The Wall Street bank argues that improving U.S.
regulation, surging ETF inflows, and renewed investor appetite could fuel a
significant recovery after a turbulent year for digital assets.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Citi’s analysts
— Alex Saunders, Dirk Willer, and Vinh Vo — believe the recent shift in U.S.
policy has changed the tone around digital assets.
Lawmakers’ progress on the so-called Clarity Act,
which aims to define the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, could
accelerate institutional participation and stabilize market sentiment.
The brokerage expects bitcoin’s price to mirror
strengthening user activity and improving liquidity conditions in the broader
market.
According to SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net
outflows of $161 million, while spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $96.62 million in
outflows, extending their losing streak to six consecutive days. In contrast,
spot Solana ETFs attracted $13.16 million in net inflows, and spot XRP ETFs
gained $30.41 million.
On Dec. 18 (ET), spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of $161 million. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $96.62 million, marking six consecutive days of net outflows. Spot Solana ETFs posted net inflows of $13.16 million, while spot XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $30.41… pic.twitter.com/Y5JAEuIGUc
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 19, 2025
In Citi’s base case, bitcoin’s 12-month target stands
at $143,000 — an approximate 62% gain from its current price near $88,000. The
bullish scenario pushes that expectation even higher, to $189,000, driven by
“increased end-investor demand” and expanded ETF participation. Ether,
meanwhile, could rise 46% to around $4,304.
However, a downturn remains possible. Under its bear
case, Citi projects bitcoin retreating to $78,500, citing global recession
risks that could drain risk appetite from the market. In such conditions, ether
could fall to about $1,270.
Trump’s Pledge and the Year of Recovery
Digital assets have rebounded since U.S. President
Donald Trump announced his administration’s support for crypto development
earlier this year. His stance prompted regulators to ease off litigation
against major platforms and to explore tailored rules for crypto trading,
custody, and taxation.
Still, the sector endured a sharp correction in
November, with bitcoin losing more than $18,000 in one month — its steepest
drop since 2021. Strategy, the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, trimmed its
2025 earnings outlook, highlighting how market volatility continues to test
investor confidence.
Analysts Eye Key Support Levels
Citi highlights $70,000 as a critical price floor —
roughly bitcoin’s level before Trump’s 2024 election victory. As long as the
price holds above that threshold, analysts consider upward momentum intact.
They argue that ETF-driven demand, coupled with a firming equity market,
provides a base for crypto’s next growth phase.
Bitcoin daily price chart, Source: TradingView
At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $88,298,
representing a 3% increase in the past day and a 2% decline in the past week. Across
the crypto market, the market is looking bullish. Ethereum is up nearly 8%,
despite a nearly 4% decline in the past week.
Technically, Bitcoin is in a consolidation, trading at
around a price range last seen in April. The price is locked in within a
support of $84,320 and a price resistance of $93,044. The RSI is neither in the
overbought or at the oversold conditions.
