According to Mark Palmer, Senior Research Analyst at The Benchmark Company, the Bitcoin price could climb to $225,000 by the end of 2026.
Speaking on Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid podcast, Palmer highlighted key factors driving his bullish forecast, including historical price patterns, Bitcoin’s halving cycles, and increasing institutional adoption.
Palmer began by addressing the recent post-election rally in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. He attributed the momentum to a more crypto-friendly U.S. administration and contrasted it with previous regulatory hostility. “We’re hearing cabinet appointments that are supportive of crypto,” he said, describing the shift as a “sea of change” from previous policies that had hindered the industry.
A key factor in Palmer’s prediction is Bitcoin’s halving cycles, which occur roughly every four years and reduce supply by halving miners’ rewards. The most recent halving occurred on April 20, 2024. Historically, Bitcoin prices have seen significant upward movements in the 14-18 months following these events.
“This reflects the shift in the supply-demand dynamics of Bitcoin,” Palmer said, pointing to similar price increases after halvings in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Palmer noted that institutional interest in Bitcoin is growing, likening it to the adoption of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the early 2000s. Palmer sees Bitcoin as an uncorrelated asset with significant upside potential, citing underfunded pension funds as a key driver.
“Adding Bitcoin to portfolios makes sense,” the analyst said. “Just as gold ETFs have become more prevalent, Bitcoin could follow a similar trajectory as institutions find ways to incorporate it into their strategies.”
While $225,000 by 2026 is already a bold prediction, Palmer believes it may be conservative: “The real question is the degree of institutional involvement and how this positive backdrop for Bitcoin translates into an upward trend.”
*This is not investment advice.