After reaching an all-time high and then experiencing a significant drop last year, bitcoin is once again in the spotlight as investors speculate about its prospects for 2026.
Industry insiders told CNBC that the cryptocurrency could see substantial gains this year, though volatility remains a key concern.
In CNBC’s annual bitcoin prediction roundup, forecasts vary widely, with some expecting prices as low as $75,000 and others projecting up to $225,000.
Bitcoin previously hit a record high of over $126,000 in October, before sliding to around $80,000 by the end of the year, according to CoinMetrics.
Currently, bitcoin is roughly 30% below its all-time high, reflecting a challenging environment for investors.
The 2025 crypto market benefited from what many viewed as a more supportive regulatory climate under President Donald Trump, combined with growing participation from institutional players and traditional financial institutions.
Additionally, there was a surge in digital asset treasury (DAT) companies, which accumulate large quantities of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
However, debate continues over whether technology stock valuations and the AI boom could trigger wider market volatility.
The crypto sell-off at the end of 2025 was partly influenced by this backdrop.
Investors reassessing risk assets and liquidations from crypto holders amplified the downward pressure, creating uncertainty for 2026.
“We are in a complex investing environment. Equity valuations are stretched, the geopolitical environment is chaotic and evolving, there are fears about the near-term durability of AI capex deployment, monetary policy conditions appear to be shifting, and the U.S. midterm elections are on the horizon,” said Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy.
“Against this backdrop, the outlook for bitcoin in 2026 is tough to predict.”
Carol Alexander Predicts $75,000-$150,000
Carol Alexander, finance professor at the University of Sussex, forecasts bitcoin will trade in a “high-volatility range” of $75,000 to $150,000, centering around $110,000.
This reflects a shift from retail-driven cycles toward institutional participation in the cryptocurrency market.
Alexander has a strong track record in prior bitcoin forecasts but previously overestimated a $200,000 target for 2026.
She did, however, correctly predict trading around $150,000 by summer 2025, when bitcoin exceeded $100,000.
CoinShares Forecasts $120,000-$170,000
James Butterfill, head of research at crypto asset manager CoinShares, expects bitcoin to trade between $120,000 and $170,000 in 2026, with stronger performance likely in the latter half of the year.
Butterfill noted that investors are closely watching the selection of the next U.S. Federal Reserve chair following Jerome Powell’s term, predicting a likely dovish stance.
He also highlighted the potential impact of the U.S. Clarity Act, legislation aimed at regulating digital assets, describing regulatory clarity as a “meaningful catalyst.”
Butterfill pointed to inflation shocks and policy errors as drivers for potential demand in alternative assets like bitcoin.
Standard Chartered: $150,000
Standard Chartered revised its 2026 bitcoin forecast to $150,000 from a prior $300,000 estimate.
Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital asset research, said the decline in 2025 was “within expected bounds.”
He noted that DATs are unlikely to support further market buying as valuations no longer justify expansion.
Instead, future bitcoin gains are expected to be largely ETF-driven.
Maple Finance, Bit Mining, and Nexo Predictions
Sidney Powell, CEO of Maple Finance, set a target of $175,000, citing institutional adoption and potential rate cuts.
Youwei Yang from Bit Mining anticipates extreme volatility, predicting a range from $75,000 to $225,000 due to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Nexo analyst Iliya Kalchev expects bitcoin to benefit from reduced supply risk and increasing institutional allocations, with potential to surpass previous highs if financial conditions ease.
