Bitcoin Price Forecast 2026

## Bitcoin’s 2026 Horizon: Amidst Volatility, Experts See Potential for New Peaks

Following a dramatic surge to an all-time high and a subsequent sharp correction, industry executives and investors are signaling a potentially bullish, yet undeniably volatile, trajectory for Bitcoin in 2026. Forecasts for the flagship cryptocurrency span a wide spectrum, with predictions ranging from $75,000 to as high as $225,000.

Last year, Bitcoin reached a peak exceeding $126,000 before experiencing a significant downturn, settling in the vicinity of $80,000. Currently trading approximately 30% below its all-time high, the digital asset navigates a complex market landscape. The prior year’s crypto market was significantly influenced by a perceived shift towards a more accommodating regulatory environment in the U.S. and a growing influx of institutional capital and traditional financial players. Simultaneously, a notable trend emerged with the rise of digital asset treasury (DAT) companies, entities that amass substantial holdings of Bitcoin and other digital currencies.

However, the market finds itself at a juncture where valuations in technology stocks are considered extended, and the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom is under scrutiny. The late-year crypto sell-off occurred against this backdrop, as investors reassessed their exposure to risk assets. Forced liquidations within the crypto space amplified selling pressure, creating a challenging environment heading into 2026.

“We are operating within a complex investment milieu,” notes Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy. “Equity valuations are stretched, the geopolitical landscape is volatile and evolving, concerns persist regarding the near-term durability of AI capital expenditure, monetary policy conditions appear to be in flux, and the U.S. midterm elections are on the horizon. Against this backdrop, predicting Bitcoin’s trajectory for 2026 presents a significant challenge.”

Here’s a look at some of the prominent forecasts for Bitcoin’s price in 2026:

### Carol Alexander: $75,000 – $150,000

Professor of Finance at the University of Sussex, Carol Alexander, anticipates Bitcoin will remain within a “high-volatility range” of $75,000 to $150,000 in 2026, with its “center of gravity around” $110,000. She attributes this to the market’s digestion of a transition from retail-driven cycles to institutionally distributed liquidity. Historically, retail traders have been the primary drivers of Bitcoin’s price. However, in recent years, there has been a marked increase in institutional investor participation, a trend many experts expect to continue. While Alexander has a generally strong track record with her Bitcoin predictions, a previous forecast of Bitcoin reaching $200,000 in 2026 did not materialize. She did, however, correctly anticipate Bitcoin trading “around $150,000 plus or minus $50,000” by the summer of 2025, a period during which Bitcoin surpassed the $100,000 mark.

### CoinShares: $120,000 – $170,000

James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, a crypto-focused asset manager, projects Bitcoin to trade between $120,000 and $170,000 in 2026, with “more constructive price action likely occurring in the second half of the year.” Investors will be closely monitoring the successor to Jerome Powell as Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, whose tenure concludes in May. Butterfill suggests the incoming chair is likely to adopt a dovish stance, though markets will await clarity before decisively repricing risk assets. Investor attention will also be focused on the potential enactment of the Clarity Act in the U.S., legislation aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets. “Regulation has been a persistent overhang; resolution here would be a meaningful catalyst,” Butterfill stated. He also pointed to potential demand for “alternative, non-sovereign monetary assets” like Bitcoin in response to inflation shocks or Federal Reserve policy errors. Butterfill’s previous predictions included a forecast of Bitcoin falling to around $80,000 in 2025, which occurred, though his projection of a rise to $150,000 last year was not met.

### Standard Chartered: $150,000

Standard Chartered has set a Bitcoin price target of $150,000 for 2026, revising down its earlier projection of $300,000 in December. Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital asset research, indicated that the price decline observed in 2025 was “within expected bounds,” leading to the adjustment. Kendrick noted in a December report, “Specifically, we think buying by Bitcoin digital asset treasury companies (DATs) is likely over, as valuations … no longer support further Bitcoin DAT expansion. We expect a consolidation rather than outright selling, but DAT buying is unlikely to provide further support.” DATs, entities that acquire and hold cryptocurrencies, primarily Bitcoin, to outperform the market, have seen their valuations impacted by the crypto price plunge. Some analysts suggest this may hinder their ability to secure additional funding, implying a reduced capacity for DATs to support the market through new Bitcoin purchases. Kendrick now anticipates that future Bitcoin price increases will be predominantly driven by Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows.

### Maple Finance: $175,000

Sidney Powell, CEO of Maple Finance, has set a price target of $175,000 for Bitcoin in 2026, citing interest rate cuts and “increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin” as key drivers. Powell’s December 2024 prediction of some price corrections in 2025, which materialized, was accurate. However, his bullish 2025 call for Bitcoin ranging between $180,000 and $200,000 was not achieved. A significant milestone for Bitcoin in 2026, according to Powell, will be when Bitcoin-backed lending surpasses $100 billion. He elaborates, “Bitcoin holders are increasingly sophisticated; they don’t want to sell their BTC; they want to borrow against it. This creates a virtuous cycle: less selling pressure, more utility, higher prices.”

### Bit Mining: $75,000 to $225,000

Youwei Yang, chief economist at Bit Mining, also anticipates continued volatility for Bitcoin. Yang forecasts a broad trading range for Bitcoin in 2026, spanning from $75,000 to $225,000. “2026 could be a strong year for Bitcoin, supported by potential rate cuts and a more accommodating regulatory stance toward crypto,” Yang stated. “However, heightened volatility is likely amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.” Yang’s previous call in December 2024 included a partially accurate prediction of Bitcoin falling to around $80,000 in 2025. His forecast for Bitcoin to trade between $180,000 and $190,000, however, did not materialize.

### Nexo: $150,000 – $200,000

Nexo’s previous 2025 price target of $250,000 for Bitcoin was attributed not to a rejection of its long-term thesis, but rather “a consequence of market mechanics colliding with a shifting macro backdrop,” according to Iliya Kalchev, an analyst at the cryptocurrency exchange. Kalchev explained that this price target was not met as long-term holders who acquired Bitcoin at lower prices began selling, with institutional investors becoming the buyers. However, 2026 “appears more constructive,” Kalchev believes, as the phase of long-term holders divesting their holdings comes to an end, and institutional allocations “gradually rise from still-modest levels.” He concludes, “Bitcoin is entering 2026 with less supply risk and a broader capital base.” Kalchev added, “If financial conditions turn more supportive – through easing policy, a softer dollar, or renewed liquidity expansion – Bitcoin could revisit and exceed prior highs.”