As Bitcoin (BTC) maintains a consolidated trading range between $86,000 and $90,000 after a 30% correction from its all-time high in October, market expectations for the future of the cryptocurrency remain optimistic.
Market analyst Dominic Basulto of The Motley Fool believes that despite continued challenges in the fourth quarter of the year, Bitcoin could rise to $150,000 by 2026, fueled by the newly established US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Is $150,000 Possible for Bitcoin?
The historical context supports Basulto’s prediction; Bitcoin’s performance over the years has shown significant recovery potential, with 2015 being the worst bull market year with a gain of only 36%. Significantly, Bitcoin has delivered triple-digit returns in seven of its years.
The analyst suggests that 2026 could look like 2019, a year in which Bitcoin rose 95% in value after its dismal performance in 2018, when it plunged 74%.
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In 2019, several catalysts, such as increased global economic uncertainty and a surge in institutional interest, have pushed Bitcoin higher – situations that appear similar to current conditions.
Institutional investors are increasingly adding BTC to their portfolios, driven by spot Bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs). Meanwhile, concerns about global tariffs and macroeconomic instability in the US continue to resonate among investors, paving the way for a potential bullish move.
However, Basulto emphasizes that Bitcoin can only reach the $150,000 milestone if it is seen as a long-term store of value. If investors view gold merely as another high-risk asset, they may choose physical gold over digital gold, which is having a record year.
The core of his argument focuses on one crucial factor that could significantly impact Bitcoin’s price: a notable increase in purchases by the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
What happens when countries stockpile BTC?
Basulto claims that if the US government were to start purchasing substantial amounts of Bitcoin, it could spark a global arms race among other countries eager to create their own. strategic BTC reserves.
According to the analyst, such purchases from national reserves could dramatically boost Bitcoin’s price, likely exceeding the impact of corporate treasury companies that have already amassed nearly 5% of the world’s circulating BTC supply.
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While reaching the $150,000 mark seems ambitious given Bitcoin’s recent performance, more aggressive predictions exist for 2026. For example, JPMorgan Chase has predicted a potential price of $170,000, while Wall Street strategist Tom Lee of Fundstrat has suggested that BTC could even reach $250,000 next year.
While several factors must align for BTC to regain its status as digital gold, the possibility of higher prices depends on strategic actions by both the US government and institutional investors.
Basulto concluded that if the leading cryptocurrency can consolidate its position and the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve gains strength, the predicted price of $150,000 could be reached next year.
At the time of writing, BTC’s price returned to $87,330 after an early Monday move above $90,500.
Featured image of DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com