Bitcoin News Today: Wall Street's Bitcoin Shift: Citigroup Elevates Crypto to Core Asset

Citigroup, one of the world's largest financial institutions, has raised its price forecast for Bitcoin, setting a 12-month target of $181,000, according to a report by PANewsPA一线, ^[1]. This represents a significant upward revision from its previous projections and underscores growing institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency's long-term potential. The firm also set a shorter-term end-of-year target of $132,000 for Bitcoin, aligning with broader market optimism amid evolving macroeconomic conditions and heightened adoption trends.

The revised forecast comes as Bitcoin has shown resilience in 2025, despite periodic volatility. Citigroup's analysis appears to reflect a broader consensus among major financial players that Bitcoin's role as a store of value and hedge against inflation is gaining traction. The bank's updated targets suggest it anticipates sustained institutional investment, regulatory clarity, and macroeconomic tailwinds-such as potential Federal Reserve rate cuts-to further bolster Bitcoin's appeal. These factors are expected to drive demand, particularly as traditional financial markets seek alternative assets to diversify portfolios.

While the 12-month $181,000 target is ambitious, it aligns with other bullish projections from industry analysts and macroeconomic models. For context, Bitcoin's all-time high remains at $69,000 (as of 2021), meaning Citigroup's forecast implies a more than 260% increase from that level. Such a scenario would require robust adoption of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, expanded institutional participation, and a continuation of favorable monetary policy trends. Citigroup's forecast also highlights Bitcoin's potential to outperform traditional assets in a low-interest-rate environment, a dynamic that could attract further capital inflows.

The bank's revised outlook is part of a broader shift in sentiment among global financial institutions toward cryptocurrencies. Earlier in 2025, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs also raised their Bitcoin price targets, citing similar macroeconomic and adoption-driven factors. Citigroup's stance reinforces this trend, signaling that major banks are increasingly treating Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class rather than a speculative outlier. This institutional validation could accelerate mainstream adoption and regulatory progress, further supporting Bitcoin's trajectory.

Critically, Citigroup's forecast does not account for potential risks, such as regulatory crackdowns, geopolitical instability, or sudden shifts in monetary policy. However, the bank's analysis appears to prioritize structural factors, including Bitcoin's limited supply and its growing integration into institutional portfolios. As of the report's publication, Bitcoin was trading near $118,000, leaving ample room for upward movement to meet the 12-month target. Analysts will closely monitor macroeconomic data, particularly U.S. inflation reports and Fed policy decisions, for clues about the feasibility of Citigroup's projections.

The press release underscores the evolving relationship between traditional finance and the cryptocurrency market. By setting a $181,000 price target for Bitcoin, Citigroup is not only acknowledging the digital asset's market capitalization but also positioning itself as a key player in shaping its future. Investors and market participants will likely view this forecast as a catalyst for further institutional onboarding and increased liquidity in Bitcoin markets. However, achieving such a target will depend on sustained demand, regulatory cooperation, and the resolution of lingering technical challenges, such as scalability and energy consumption concerns.