As January ended, Bitcoin fell slightly as global markets became more cautious.
Investors moved away from risky assets like cryptocurrencies and back toward gold, the U.S. dollar, and government bonds. This shift led several analysts and firms to update their 2026 Bitcoin forecasts.
While price targets differ, most experts agree that Bitcoin’s future performance depends less on quick speculation and more on long-term factors such as institutional investment, regulations, and global liquidity conditions.
John Glover: A Short-Term Drop to $71K
John Glover, chief investment officer at Ledn, sees a possible decline to around $71,000 before the market recovers. He links this expectation to U.S. market uncertainty and potentially rising interest rates, which are making safe assets like Treasury bonds and gold more attractive.
Glover says Bitcoin still behaves like a risk asset, often falling when stock markets drop. However, he also believes this weakness will not last long.
When interest rates stop rising and liquidity improves, he expects investors to return to Bitcoin as a hedge against long-term inflation and fiat currency risk.
Geoffrey Kendrick: Slower Growth — $150K Target
Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick lowered his Bitcoin forecast for 2026 from $300,000 to $150,000. He remains positive but describes the outlook as “steady rather than explosive.”
Kendrick explains that major institutional investors move carefully. They adjust their holdings through scheduled portfolio rebalancing, not emotional buying. This slow approach limits short-term surges but supports stable, long-term growth.
He believes Bitcoin will continue gaining credibility as a global financial asset, especially if central banks start cutting rates again.
Julio Moreno: Finding Support Around $56K–$60K
Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant, expects Bitcoin to trade between $56,000 and $60,000 in 2026.
His view is based on on-chain data, such as declining user activity and miner revenue—patterns that often appear when the market is establishing a bottom.
Moreno sees this not as a major crash but as a normal correction within the Bitcoin cycle. He expects traders and investors to slowly rebuild positions once selling pressure fades, preparing the market for the next long-term rally.
Grayscale Investments: Building Toward $126K
Grayscale Investments projects Bitcoin may reach $126,000 by mid-2026, supported by growing institutional participation and clear U.S. regulations. According to the firm, new rules will give large funds and companies the confidence to invest more openly in Bitcoin.
Grayscale’s analysts believe better regulation and improved custody systems will help Bitcoin move from a speculative asset to a mainstream financial product, with steady demand from pension funds and endowments.
A Gradual but Stronger Market
Overall, analysts see slow and steady progress rather than dramatic price spikes. Most believe institutions and regulatory clarity will be key forces driving the next phase of growth.
Short-term drops, such as those projected by Glover and Moreno, are seen as part of a healthy market adjustment, not the start of a long-term decline. By 2026, Bitcoin’s story may not be just about how high it climbs, but how sustainably it becomes part of the broader financial system.
