Standard Chartered has significantly revised its Bitcoin price forecasts, now projecting the cryptocurrency to reach $200,000 by the end of 2025 and an ambitious $500,000 by 2028. This substantial upward adjustment reflects the bank’s assessment that traditional halving-based price models are no longer the primary determinants of Bitcoin’s future movements. Instead, the profound impact of institutional investment vehicles, particularly spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), is seen as the dominant force driving market dynamics.
Redefining Bitcoin’s Valuation Drivers
The latest report, authored by Geoff Kendrick, Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, specifically forecasts Bitcoin achieving a new all-time high of $135,000 by the third quarter of 2025. Kendrick argues that the current market cycle fundamentally differs from previous ones, primarily driven by sustained institutional capital inflows and robust activity from spot Bitcoin ETFs. This perspective directly contrasts with historical patterns, where significant price corrections often followed roughly 18 months post-halving events. While conventional models might suggest a potential downturn around September-October 2025, following the April 2024 halving, Standard Chartered anticipates a continued upward trajectory.
Institutional Capital as the Primary Catalyst
The bank explicitly links this sustained momentum to persistent ETF purchases and broader institutional treasury allocations into Bitcoin. Standard Chartered asserts that price discovery is increasingly influenced by regulated financial products and strategic corporate balance sheet decisions. This revised outlook, notably published amidst recent capital outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs exceeding $342 million, underscores Standard Chartered’s unwavering belief that institutional adoption will remain the primary driver for Bitcoin’s ascent. The bank expects this trend to push the cryptocurrency well beyond previous valuation benchmarks through 2025 and into 2028. This updated perspective signifies a material shift in how leading financial institutions perceive and value the premier cryptocurrency within the evolving global financial landscape.
Former Wall Street analyst turned crypto journalist, Marcus brings a decade of expertise in trading strategies, risk management, and quantitative research. He writes clear, actionable guides on technical indicators, portfolio diversification, and emerging DeFi projects.