While Bitcoin has performed poorly in 2025, many people anticipate a better 2026.
While there has always been a good amount of hubris in the Bitcoin sector with astronomical predictions that stretch the imagination, the fact that Bitcoin ended 2026 down for the year may set it up for a bounce as markets return from the Holiday interlude.
Former Barclays MD and current Ledn Chief Investment Officer John Glover is one of these Bitcoin bulls. He believes that as we enter 2026, the Bitcoin price chart looks promising for higher prices in the near term, albeit with less certainty.
“I continue to look for the market to trade sideways to slightly lower in the coming weeks/months, and look to add to longs between $71k and $84k, which will complete Wave IV,” explains Glover. “Once the bottom of Wave IV is clearly established, which should be sometime in Q1/Q2 of 2026, then I look for a rally to $145k to $160k in 2026/2027.”
Glover says the one thing that would change his mind on his forecast is if Bitcoin closes below $69,000.
“I believe this to be a very low probability event. I look forward to sending out the Ledn TA again in the new year.”
There are other Bitcoin bulls out there.
Global bank Standard Chartered predicts that Bitcoin will top $500,000 by 2030. This price point will be driven by ETF demand and corporate accumulation.
Last month, Cathie Wood matched Standard Chartered’s price with their bear-case target of $500,000 for the same date. But if bullish sentiment rules, Wood expects the price to top a whopping $1.2 million. She explains that Bitcoin will be viewed as digital gold by investors and as an inflationary hedge.
And then there is Strategy CEO Michael Saylor, who hasn’t wavered in his belief in BTC. He anticipates Bitcoin at $1.3 million in ten years and $17 million in 20 years.
Of course, there are Bitcoin bears with gloomy predictions. Bloomberg analyst Mike McGlone believes Bitcoin could crash to $10,000 during the year.
Bitcoin competes with an array of investment options in a world of limited resources. The rapid rise of AI has certainly shuffled some funds away from crypto. Gold and silver have both had stellar years, with gold rising by 60% and silver rising by around 150%. Investor sentiment and psychology can change rapidly. If the economy holds up, investors may be in for a good year, but if the wheels fall off, who knows….