Bitcoin is heading into 2026 with expectations of sharp volatility and the potential for historic price swings, according to a new survey of industry analysts and executives.
A CNBC poll shows forecasts for Bitcoin’s price next year range from a bearish $75,000 to an aggressive $225,000. Analysts attribute this widespread uncertainty to uncertainty around global monetary policy, regulation, and the durability of institutional demand.
Bitcoin currently trades near $91,000, about 30% below its record high of more than $126,000 reached in October 2025. While the pullback has cooled momentum, experts say it has not reduced long-term interest in the asset.
Among the most bullish projections, Youwei Yang, chief economist at Bit Mining, expects Bitcoin to trade between $75,000 and $225,000 in 2026. He points to possible interest rate cuts, a more supportive regulatory environment, and broader macroeconomic risks as factors that could amplify price moves in either direction.
This paper took 36 hours of research to compress into three pages.
Why BTC hits $175K–$250K in 2026
The framework is complete. Full paper attached.
– ShieldedMonk pic.twitter.com/jHh4ZMqjPU
— Monk 🛡️ (@ShieldedMonk) January 6, 2026Other major institutions also expect strong upside, though with more measured assumptions. Standard Chartered now projects Bitcoin at $150,000, revising its earlier $300,000 call as it expects gains to be driven mainly by spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds rather than corporate treasury buying. Maple Finance expects Bitcoin to climb toward $175,000, supported by easing rates and the expansion of bitcoin-backed lending markets. CoinShares forecasts a range of $120,000 to $170,000, with stronger momentum likely in the second half of the year once regulatory and central bank signals become clearer.
Read: UK to Regulate Bitcoin and Cryptoassets From 2027
Despite differing targets, analysts broadly agree on the forces shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory. Decisions by the Federal Reserve, progress on US crypto legislation, and continued inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs are the most important catalysts.
As 2026 approaches, experts caution that Bitcoin’s path is unlikely to be smooth. Instead, they expect heightened volatility to remain the defining feature, offering both significant opportunity and elevated risk for investors.
