Bitcoin News Today: Standard Chartered's $200K Bitcoin Forecast Defies Volatility Skeptics

Standard Chartered has issued a bullish forecast for Bitcoin, predicting the cryptocurrency could surpass $135,000 by the end of the third quarter of 2025 and reach $200,000 by year-end. This projection, outlined in a recent analysis, attributes the anticipated price surge to robust institutional adoption, macroeconomic factors, and sustained inflows into Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The bank's forecast marks a 13% increase from Bitcoin's July 10 price and a 68% jump from current levels, positioning the asset for what it describes as a "new price dynamic" driven by evolving market conditionsStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[2].

The prediction follows Bitcoin's previous all-time high of approximately $124,128 in August 2025, a rally fueled by institutional investment and regulatory developments. Standard Chartered noted that Bitcoin ETFs and treasury companies have collectively purchased 245,000 bitcoins in the second quarter of 2025, the second-highest quarterly inflow on record after the fourth quarter of 2024. These inflows, combined with $48.9 billion in net inflows into Bitcoin ETFs since their U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval in January 2024, underscore growing institutional confidence in the assetStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[2]. The bank also highlighted the Genius Act-a U.S. legislative proposal to regulate stablecoins-as a potential catalyst for attracting new crypto investors, further boosting demand for BitcoinStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[2].

The forecast challenges historical patterns tied to Bitcoin's halving cycle, which historically sees price peaks approximately 18 months after each halving event. The most recent halving in April 2024 would have suggested a peak around September 2025, but Standard Chartered argues that heightened institutional participation and regulatory clarity are reshaping market dynamics. The bank emphasized that Bitcoin's scarcity-capped at 21 million coins-and its adoption as a hedge against inflation position it as a "digital store of value," aligning with broader macroeconomic trendsStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[2].

However, the projection faces skepticism due to Bitcoin's inherent volatility. Standard Chartered previously predicted a $120,000 target for the second quarter of 2025, which the asset did not meet, raising questions about the accuracy of such forecasts. The bank acknowledges that while institutional inflows and regulatory progress provide tailwinds, the market's unpredictability means the $200,000 target is ambitious. Critics also note that Bitcoin's lack of intrinsic utility compared to traditional assets and its relatively high transaction costs could limit long-term adoptionStandard Chartered Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $135,000 …^[2].

The analysis comes amid broader shifts in the crypto landscape, including growing interest in regulated investment vehicles. While the focus remains on Bitcoin, the SEC's pending approval of Solana (SOL) and other altcoin ETFs could further diversify institutional exposure to digital assets. However, Standard Chartered's report does not directly address these developments, instead concentrating on Bitcoin's trajectory amid macroeconomic and regulatory tailwindsFull List of Solana ETFs Awaiting SEC Approval: Dates …^[3].