According to VanEck's long-term capital study, Bitcoin could reach $2.9 million per coin by 2050 on a projected 15% CAGR from about $88,000. The framework spans a "Settlement Pivot", where BTC processes 5–10% of cross‑border trade and 5% of domestic activity, and a "Reserve Pivot" tied to G7 debt concerns, with outcomes from a $130,000 bear case to a $53.4 million bull case.

In 2025 Bitcoin surged to a series of record highs above $126,000 before sliding to around $80,000 by year-end, leaving it roughly 30% below its peak. For 2026, analysts and industry executives project a wide trading band between $75,000 and $225,000, citing factors such as ETF demand, institutional lending and potential U.S. regulatory shifts. At the same time, Bank of America has upgraded Coinbase shares to Buy, reiterating a $340 price target on the back of its expanding product suite and tokenization initiatives.

On December 2025, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that Bitcoin held on cryptocurrency exchanges can be seized in criminal investigations, after reviewing a money laundering case involving 55.6 BTC valued at about $413,000. The court held that seizure under the Criminal Procedure Act covers both physical objects and electronic information, confirming Bitcoin’s status as seizable virtual property and aligning South Korea with other jurisdictions that now recognize digital assets as property.

Analysts argue that Bitcoin is likely entering an extended sideways phase, as capital shifts toward equities and commodities without triggering heavy crypto selling. On-chain data highlights slower fresh inflows and a growing share of long-term institutional holders, while macro indicators show global liquidity expanding and positioning Bitcoin as a late-cycle asset that may respond with a lag. This backdrop suggests reduced crash risk in the near term but also a market lacking immediate upside catalysts.

On January 8, 2026, traders on X reiterated bearish views after Bitcoin failed to clear $95,000 and drifted back toward its yearly open near $90,000, according to TradingView. Several participants highlighted support at $87.5k–$89k and warned of a potential slide toward $76,000, citing a developing weekly "Death Cross" as a reason to sell strength.

Bitcoin is trading below $90,000 after a failed attempt to hold above $94,000 in early January, leaving its 2026 outlook highly divergent. Institutional and analyst forecasts for that year now range from potential drops toward $25,000 or $60,000 to bullish targets as high as $1,000,000. Expectations cluster around six‑figure levels from major banks and asset managers, but opinions remain sharply split on how the market will evolve by the end of 2026.

Bitcoin is trading around the $90K area after a rejection near $95K, with price action shaped by geopolitical tensions and shifting risk sentiment. On higher timeframes, BTC has broken out of a descending channel following accumulation near $80K, while shorter-term charts show a rising wedge pointing back toward $90K support and possibly $88K if it fails. Market indicators suggest mixed sentiment, with negative Coinbase Premium and soft spot demand, but derivatives positioning remains relatively stable.

Trader Peter Brandt has highlighted a rare bullish bottom pattern on Bitcoin, with key levels around $90,000 to $100,000 and downside risk toward $70,000. Bitcoin is trading near $90,212 with lower volume, while ETF outflows, reduced leverage and macro uncertainties weigh on sentiment. If BTC can clear $92,000 and eventually $100,000, some market participants see room for a larger rally, though others warn of a potential crash if risk assets weaken.