From 10,000 to 250,000? A 2026 BTC Price Forecast Panorama!

We have compiled the 2026 BTC price predictions from 16 leading institutions/crypto influencers, covering three different stances, to restore the current market's true expected distribution.
Bullish
Standard Chartered Bank, $150,000
Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick has lowered the end-of-2026 target price for BTC from $300,000 to $150,000, believing that corporate treasury buy-ins (DAT) have peaked, and future gains will mainly depend on ETF capital inflows.
JPMorgan, $170,000
JPMorgan maintains its 6–12 month BTC target price at $170,000. The bullish logic is based on “volatility-adjusted gold comparison,” suggesting that if BTC and gold investment proportions become aligned, its market cap still has 67% upside.
Ripple, $180,000
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse predicts Bitcoin will reach $180,000 by the end of 2026, mainly optimistic about long-term prospects like regulatory improvements and institutional adoption.
Ric Edelman, $180,000
Ric Edelman, founder of asset management giant Edelman Financial Engines, predicts Bitcoin will rise by 50%–100% in 2026, reaching up to $180,000. The 2025 rally was hindered mainly by early holders cashing out and large-scale liquidations, but now selling pressure has eased, and ETF and institutional buying will drive a rebound.
Tom Lee, $250,000
Previously, Fundstrat’s Tom Lee predicted Bitcoin would reach $150,000–$200,000 by the end of January 2026. At Dubai Blockchain Week, Tom Lee even said Bitcoin could soon hit $250,000. The core reason is continued expansion of institutional allocations and corporate buy-ins.
Bitwise, new high in BTC in 2026, no specific price forecast
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan expects Bitcoin to hit a new high in 2026, breaking the traditional “four-year cycle” logic. His view is based on three points: weakening halving effects, possible rate cuts in 2026, and accelerated institutional adoption, overall leaning towards structural bullishness in 2026.
Grayscale, new high in BTC in 2026, no specific price forecast
Grayscale predicts in the “2026 Digital Asset Outlook” that Bitcoin will reach a new high in the first half of 2026, marking the end of the “four-year cycle” theory. This is mainly due to strong macro demand for alternative store-of-value assets and increased clarity in US regulation (including the potential passage of the Clarity Act). The overall outlook is clearly bullish for 2026.
Galaxy, BTC will be volatile in 2026, long-term bullish
Galaxy Research Director Alex Thorn states that Bitcoin’s performance in 2026 will be highly uncertain, with the options market pricing $70k and $130k with equal probability by late June next year. Nonetheless, the long-term bullish view remains unchanged, as increased institutional adoption and loose monetary policy could see BTC become a gold-like inflation hedge within two years.
Jocy @jocyiosg, Founder of IOSG, H1 2026 is a policy honeymoon period
2026 will be a new era led by institutions rather than a continuation of the old four-year cycle. Jocy predicts that the first half of 2026 will be a period for institutions to build positions, based on significant increases in institutional holdings and friendly policy windows (such as stablecoin legislation and regulatory clarity), indicating a rising price center.
Neutral
Citigroup, $78,500, $143,000, $189,000 in three scenarios
Citigroup forecasts BTC will rise to $143,000 in 2026, mainly driven by ETF capital inflows, stock market strength boosting risk appetite, and expected US digital asset legislation (like the Clarity Act) accelerating institutional adoption. In a pessimistic scenario, the price could drop to $78,500; in an optimistic scenario, it could reach $189,000.
Fundstrat, $60,000–$65,000 in H1 2026, full-year target $115,000
Fundstrat’s crypto strategist Sean Farrell predicts Bitcoin may retrace to $60,000–$65,000 in the first half of 2026, with a full-year target of $115,000. He believes that despite a long-term bullish outlook, Q1/Q2 will need to digest risk events first. The overall strategy is conservative, emphasizing waiting for a more ideal entry point.
VanEck, sideways in 2026
Bitcoin is more likely to be a sideways year in 2026 rather than a bull run or crash. Currently, Bitcoin has retraced about 35%, with a potential maximum decline of around 40%, down to the $60,000–$65,000 range. They believe the four-year cycle has not yet failed, with the high point already seen in Q4 2025.
Bearish
Barclays Bank, 2026 will be a “doldrums year” for crypto
UK’s second-largest bank Barclays predicts 2026 will be a “doldrums year” for the crypto market, possibly due to a lack of major catalysts (such as policy or product developments), leading to continued declines in spot trading volume. The only potential turning point could be legislation like the Clarity Act, but uncertainties remain.
CryptoQuant, $56,000–$70,000
CryptoQuant states that Bitcoin has entered a bear market, with a possible dip to $70,000 in the coming months, and if the downtrend continues, it could reach $56,000 in H2 2026. Reasons include ETF net selling, weak spot demand, slowing growth of key addresses, and declining funding rates for perpetual contracts.
Peter Brandt, $60,000
Veteran trader Peter Brandt suggests Bitcoin could dip to $60,000 in Q3 2026. While the upcoming Clarity Act may improve industry regulation, this is already reflected in market prices. Despite a long-term bullish outlook, he remains bearish in the short term unless BTC can rebuild a strong trend.
Mike McGlone, $10,000
Bloomberg strategist Mike McGlone believes that in extreme scenarios, BTC could fall to around $10,000 in 2026. The reasons include the realization of ETF and policy benefits, a surge in crypto assets, market expectations being fully priced in, and capital possibly retreating from high positions back to safe assets, exerting structural downward pressure on BTC.
Summary
Looking back at these views, several notable signals emerge:
Most optimistic forecasts are based on ETF capital inflows, regulatory clarity, and accelerated institutional adoption, but no “bull market consensus” has formed.
Neutral and bearish opinions generally believe we are still in a digestion phase, with no clear trend reversal yet.
Which camp do you agree with? Feel free to discuss in the comments! (Risk warning: for reference only, not an endorsement)