Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin as New Store of Value: Standard Chartered Boosts Target to $135K Amid ETF Boom and Macro Shifts

Standard Chartered Bank has raised its Bitcoin price target to $135,000 by the end of the third quarter of 2025, citing robust institutional and corporate demand as the primary driver of the cryptocurrency's upward trajectory. The bank's forecast, announced in July 2025, also projects a potential rise to $200,000 by year-end, with a long-term vision of $500,000 by 2028. These projections are grounded in record inflows into Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and treasury purchases, which the bank attributes to a structural shift in macroeconomic dynamicsStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[1].

The bank's head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, highlighted that second-quarter 2025 saw 245,000 bitcoins absorbed by ETFs and corporate treasuries, the second-highest quarterly total on record. Since January 2024, ETFs have attracted $48.9 billion in net inflows, surpassing gold ETF inflows during the same period. This trend, Kendrick argues, reflects a broader rotation of capital toward Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a store of value, rather than traditional geopolitical risksStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135K by Q3 End, …^[2].

Standard Chartered's optimism is also tied to regulatory developments, including the passage of the Genius Act in the U.S. Senate in June 2025. While the legislation primarily regulates stablecoins, the bank suggests it could attract new investors previously deterred by regulatory uncertainty, with Bitcoin likely to benefit as a first entry point for crypto newcomersStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[1]. Additionally, potential political catalysts, such as a U.S. presidential directive to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell before October 2025, are seen as possible tailwindsStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135K by Q3 End, …^[2].

The bank's revised target of $135,000 by Q3 2025 reflects a departure from its earlier $120,000 forecast for mid-2025, underscoring the accelerated pace of institutional adoption. Bitcoin's price has already surged 25% year-to-date, reaching an all-time high of $118,900 in July 2025. Standard Chartered attributes this momentum to the post-halving bull cycle, with the April 2024 halving event historically preceding price peaks. However, the bank notes that sustained institutional buying could mitigate the typical post-peak corrections observed in prior cyclesStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[1].

Despite these bullish indicators, the bank acknowledges the inherent volatility of the crypto market. While ETF inflows and regulatory clarity provide a strong foundation, external factors such as macroeconomic shifts or geopolitical events could disrupt the trajectory. The $200,000 year-end target, in particular, requires continued momentum in capital flows and stable macro conditions. Standard Chartered's historical track record of overshooting predictions, such as its $120,000 Q2 2025 target, further underscores the speculative nature of these forecastsStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[1].

The bank's analysis emphasizes Bitcoin's scarcity-capped at 21 million units-as a structural advantage in a low-yield environment. However, it also cautions that Bitcoin's utility as a payment method remains limited compared to alternatives, with transaction costs and speeds posing challenges for widespread adoption. Nonetheless, the growing trend of corporations and governments allocating Bitcoin to reserves suggests a paradigm shift in its perceived value propositionStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[1].