Bullish: Standard Chartered Sets $500,000 Bitcoin (BTC) Price Target

TLDR

• Standard Chartered predicts Bitcoin to reach $500,000 by 2028 under Trump administration
• Bank sets interim targets: $200,000 (2025), $300,000 (2026), and $400,000 (2027)
• ETFs have attracted $39 billion in net inflows, showing strong institutional demand
• Trump’s potential national digital assets stockpile could influence other central banks
• Decreasing volatility and improved investor access cited as key growth drivers

The cryptocurrency market received a bold price prediction from a major financial institution as Standard Chartered Bank forecasts Bitcoin reaching $500,000 by 2028.

The projection, shared by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, comes amid growing institutional adoption and evolving market dynamics.

BITCOIN COULD RISE TO $500,000 IN THE LONG TERM

Bitcoin could rise to $500,000 in the long term if investor access improves and volatility eases, Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick says in a note. Investor access to bitcoin jumped last month after the U.S. approved the…

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) February 5, 2025

Bitcoin, currently trading around $98,000, has shown steady growth since the start of 2025, moving up from $94,000 in January. The cryptocurrency has maintained relative stability despite recent market fluctuations, including a brief dip to $91,000 due to U.S. trade tariff concerns involving Mexico, Canada, and China.

Standard Chartered’s roadmap outlines several price milestones for Bitcoin over the coming years. The bank expects the digital asset to reach $200,000 by the end of 2025, followed by $300,000 in 2026, and $400,000 by 2027, before ultimately achieving the $500,000 target in 2028.

The analysis points to two main catalysts driving this projected price appreciation. First is the improved accessibility for investors, particularly through the U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF market, which launched in early 2024. These investment vehicles have already attracted $39 billion in net inflows, demonstrating strong institutional interest.

Bitcoin Price on CoinGecko

The second factor is the declining volatility in Bitcoin’s price movements. As the cryptocurrency’s market capitalization expands, individual traders and entities find it increasingly difficult to manipulate the price, leading to more stable trading patterns.

The maturation of the ETF market plays a crucial role in Standard Chartered’s outlook. The bank’s research suggests that as these investment products become more established, they will continue attracting institutional capital, supporting steady price growth.

A potential game-changing development highlighted in the report is the Trump administration’s January 23 order to evaluate a national digital assets stockpile. This initiative could have far-reaching implications, potentially encouraging other central banks to consider Bitcoin investments.

The bitcoin-gold ratio has recently reached its lowest point since mid-November, coinciding with increased demand for precious metals amid U.S.-China trade tensions. This relationship between Bitcoin and traditional safe-haven assets continues to evolve as the cryptocurrency market matures.

Market sentiment appears to align with Standard Chartered’s bullish outlook. Seasoned crypto trader Alex Becker has suggested that even a $150,000 price target might be conservative. Additionally, research firm CryptoQuant projects Bitcoin could reach between $145,000 and $249,000 under the current administration.

On-chain analysis reveals that Bitcoin whales – addresses holding large amounts of the cryptocurrency – are positioning themselves for potential upward price movement. Their accumulation patterns suggest confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term growth prospects.

The cryptocurrency’s journey from its current price near $98,000 to the projected $500,000 target represents a potential 410% increase over the next four years. This forecast assumes continued institutional adoption and favorable regulatory developments.

Recent market data shows Bitcoin experiencing a modest 1.3% decline over the past 24 hours, trading at $98,486. However, this short-term price action has not affected Standard Chartered’s long-term outlook.

The bank emphasizes that the path to $500,000 will likely be gradual rather than sudden, with various technical and fundamental factors influencing price movement along the way. The forecast takes into account the cryptocurrency’s historical patterns and emerging market dynamics.