BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has reiterated his $250,000 year-end price target for Bitcoin. With Bitcoin trading around $70,100, that target would imply an upside of around 256.5% from current levels and a clear break above the previous peak of $126,000 as of October 2025.
Repetition of bullish predictions
Arthur Hayes is one of the most vocally bullish proponents for Bitcoin. He has pointed out multiple times that Bitcoin breaking above $200,000 is one of his long-term bullish expectations for the asset. That previous position has now become reconfirmed in a recent YouTube interview.
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Considering how Bitcoin’s price action has taken place unfolded since those earlier calls, Hayes was asked in a recent YouTube interview if his views had changed. Hayes was asked if his Bitcoin prediction for 2026 has changed, and his answer left little room for interpretation.
He stated that he was “going to hit the same number,” and reiterated his goal of $250,000 Bitcoin by the end of the year. The consistency in his outlook shows that his belief has not changed despite recent price swings and the Bitcoin correction’s inability to find a bottom.
Although the $250,000 prediction did not come true at the time, Hayes has always given several reasons why he is optimistic in other similar predictions. He noted that before a prolonged US-Iran conflict could force the Federal Reserve to print more money, which would in turn have a ripple effect and send the Bitcoin price soaring.
Can Bitcoin Reach $250,000 by 2026?
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $70,100 and now appears to have registered a bottom just above $61,000. Therefore, a move to $250,000 would push Bitcoin well above its previous high of $126,000 and create an entirely new price range.
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Recent price action shows that Bitcoin has struggled to break out of the current consolidation, repeatedly moving within a wide range of $60,000 to $74,000 without a decisive trend in either direction. A rally to $250,000 would require Bitcoin to first clear its current range and then regain higher price zones lost during the correction from the 2025 peak. Technical analysis suggests that once Bitcoin breaks certain supply gaps above $76,000, it could quickly recover due to the thinning resistance.
Hayes had previously predicted one larger Bitcoin target in the range of $500,000 to $750,000 by the end of 2026, with his forecast based on escalating tensions in the Middle East. However, he also noted some caution regarding Bitcoin during his speech another similar podcast interview. “If I had $1 to invest right now, would I put it into Bitcoin? No. I would wait,” Hayes said. he would only become a buyer when the Federal Reserve starts easing.
Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com