Bitcoin could reclaim $100,000 before year-end as institutional adoption and demand for hard assets overcome near-term economic uncertainty, according to crypto asset manager Bitwise, offering a more bullish outlook than traders who expect inflation and elevated interest rates to constrain gains.
The forecasts highlight a divide over timing. Analysts see longer-term support from institutional investment, regulatory progress and concerns about government debt, but disagree on whether those forces can drive a breakout before the end of 2026.
Ryan Rasmussen, head of research at Bitwise, expects bitcoin to emerge from the coming weeks’ uncertainty at a higher valuation.
“We believe bitcoin ends the year higher, potentially above $100,000,” Rasmussen told CoinDesk.
He identified three longer-term drivers: institutional buying through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and corporate purchases; demand for hard assets amid inflation, rising debt and currency debasement; and clearer regulation that reduces the perceived risk of owning crypto.
“In our view, these tailwinds significantly outweigh the potential headwinds,” he said.
Rasmussen nevertheless expects volatility around a possible late-October Federal Reserve rate increase and November’s U.S. midterm elections. A breakout would be difficult in that environment, he said, although the uncertainty could create an opportunity for investors to build positions.
Adam Morgan McCarthy, head of research at LO:TECH, a London-based crypto trading and market data firm, is more cautious. His base case is an $85,000–$95,000 trading range into year-end.
“Macro has gone against Bitcoin all year, with the Fed hiking in September and a December hike priced at roughly 75%,” McCarthy said.
Source link
