Market Outlook: Institutional Predictions and Core Disagreements

Although prices have retreated from their highs, mainstream Wall Street institutions have not turned pessimistic. Regarding the target price by the end of 2026, there are differences in the market, but overall optimism remains:

· Optimists: Ripple CEO predicts $180k, assuming the US regulatory framework is implemented within the year; VanEck believes that if the BTC/gold ratio returns to its historical peak, it corresponds to about $160k.
· Relatively cautious: Standard Chartered has lowered its target price from $150k to $100k due to slowing ETF fund inflows; Citigroup has also lowered it to $112k.
· Technical indicators: Institutional buying is absorbing 577% of the daily mined output, indicating strong real demand. However, some analysts warn that if the key level of $80,000 remains unbroken for long, the price could drop to $55,000.

The biggest variable here is macroeconomic: the Federal Reserve hints that high interest rates will persist longer, and possibly even be increased. This means the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets (BTC) is extremely high, and whether funds can significantly flow back from traditional safe-haven assets like gold will determine the explosive potential of the next bull market. $BTC