Bitcoin in 2026: Crypto Bulls Project Prices from $10K to $250K

Bitcoin in 2026: From $10K to $250K — where crypto bulls see BTC heading - 1

In a landscape filled with wild predictions, the crypto world continues to speculate about Bitcoin's future price trajectory. Remember Chamath Palihapitiya's bold prediction of a $500,000 Bitcoin value by October 2025? That forecast missed the mark and now, as confidence in accurate Bitcoin price predictions wanes, analysts shift to presenting varied scenario ranges rather than definitive numbers. Despite this cautious approach, banks, CEOs, and experienced traders continue to issue ambitious predictions about Bitcoin's future.

Wu Blockchain has gathered the insights behind these forecasts, showcasing the significant differences in opinion about Bitcoin's potential price range, which spans from substantial gains driven by institutional interest and ETF approvals to significant declines due to macroeconomic tightening. Below, we explore the varied projections from prominent figures about Bitcoin's price by 2026, along with the rationale behind these forecasts.

Key Projections for Bitcoin by 2026

Tom Lee: $200,000–$250,000
Tom Lee, chair of BitMine, believes Bitcoin could reach between $200,000 and $250,000 by the end of 2026. His optimistic view stems from increasing institutional investment and inflows from spot ETFs, suggesting that this institutional participation could reshape Bitcoin's market cycles.
Sean Farrell: $60,000–$65,000
Sean Farrell, the Head of Digital Asset Strategy at Fundstrat, cautions that Bitcoin may experience a sharp pullback, potentially dropping to $60,000–$65,000 before moving higher. He highlights the differing perspectives between long-term institutional investors and those leveraging higher-risk crypto portfolios.
Brad Garlinghouse: $180,000 and $100,000+
At the Binance Blockchain Week in December 2025, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse suggested Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, Solana Foundation President Lily Liu projected a more conservative estimate of Bitcoin trading above $100,000.
JPMorgan: $170,000 (Model-Implied Ceiling)
JPMorgan’s digital-assets team values Bitcoin’s volatility-adjusted fair value at approximately $170,000, making this a theoretical upper limit instead of an exact end-of-year target. This model indicates a potential upside over the next 6 to 12 months rather than committing to a specific price point.
Standard Chartered: $150,000 (Adjusted from $300K)
Once highly bullish on Bitcoin, Standard Chartered has revised its forecast down to an expectation of $150,000 in 2026, down from $300,000. This adjustment reflects decelerating ETF inflows, diminishing demand signals, and general market weaknesses. While the bank still holds a bullish long-term outlook, it acknowledges a delay in Bitcoin's price reach.
Bernstein: $150,000
Bernstein anticipates Bitcoin will achieve a price of $150,000 in 2026, fueled by institutional investments and spot ETF inflows. The firm believes Bitcoin is stepping away from the conventional four-year halving cycle and entering a prolonged institutional bullish phase, with even more ambitious long-term targets including $1 million by 2033.
Katherine Dowling: $150,000
BSTR President Katherine Dowling also predicts Bitcoin will reach $150,000 by the end of 2026, attributing this expectation to three supportive market factors.
Citigroup: $143,000 (Base Case)
Citigroup presents a base case scenario predicting a 62% price hike from current levels around $88,000. The bank identifies $70,000 as a critical support level for Bitcoin.
Arthur Hayes: $124,000 to $200,000
Crypto trader Arthur Hayes suggests that Bitcoin could exceed $124,000 in 2026 and even attempt to hit the $200,000 target further along.

As opinions about Bitcoin's price by 2026 vary widely, it remains evident that the ongoing discussions reflect the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and the complex interplay of factors influencing Bitcoin's price trajectory. Keep an eye on market trends and institutional movements as these predictions unfold.

This article explores the projections from various experts about Bitcoin's potential price by 2026. Predictions range from $60,000 to $250,000, illustrating the uncertainty and divergent views among analysts and investors. Major factors influencing these forecasts include institutional investments, market sentiment, and wider economic conditions. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, these estimates may change based on emerging trends and developments.