The price of bitcoin (BTC) could balloon to an astounding $500,000 by 2028, driven by improved accessibility for investors and a projected decrease in volatility. This forecast, articulated by Standard Chartered, suggests that bitcoin’s unique positioning as a hedge against issues within traditional financial systems will bolster its value over time.
Geoffrey Kendrick, the global head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, noted that the cryptocurrency’s volatility is expected to diminish as the U.S. exchange-traded fund (ETF) market continues to mature. The maturation of the one-year-old ETF market in the U.S. is anticipated to enhance investor confidence and participation in the bitcoin space.
Furthermore, access to BTC is increasingly being facilitated by the current Trump administration, with institutional investments into spot bitcoin ETFs on a steady rise. Kendrick explains that these dynamics are likely to bolster bitcoin’s representation in an optimized two-asset portfolio alongside gold. As the portfolio adjusts towards its optimal state, this shift is expected to drive long-term price appreciation for bitcoin.
According to Kendrick’s analysis, the momentum driven by these factors could propel bitcoin to the remarkable price of $500,000 before Trump’s term concludes. Additionally, Standard Chartered has established a year-end price target of $200,000 for the cryptocurrency, with an ambitious target of $300,000 set for 2026.
Currently, bitcoin trades around $98,000, and recent market trends have seen its ratio compared to gold reach its lowest level since mid-November. This decline follows significant increases in precious metal prices amid escalating concerns surrounding a U.S.-China trade war and heightened demand from China.
As the digital currency market continues to evolve and gain traction among institutional investors, the prospects for bitcoin appear increasingly promising. Stakeholders and market enthusiasts alike should keep a close eye on these developments as we move towards 2028.
