Standard Chartered Unleashes Bold Bitcoin Target: $120K Incoming, $200K by 2025

Bitcoin’s Momentum Gathers Pace With Wall Street Backing

Bitcoin (BTC) is once again in the spotlight after a stunning new forecast from Geoffrey Kendrick, the Global Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered.
In a fresh report shared with The Block, Kendrick confidently stated that Bitcoin could soon surge to an all-time high of $120,000, driven by strengthening market fundamentals and changing investor behavior.

And that’s not all: Kendrick’s long-term target for Bitcoin sits at an eye-popping $200,000 by the end of 2025 — a prediction that could set the tone for how institutional investors position themselves over the coming months.

Three Key Forces Powering Bitcoin’s Rally

Kendrick attributes Bitcoin’s growing strength to three significant macro and market factors:

1. U.S. Treasury Term Premium at a 12-Year High

The term premium — the extra yield investors demand for holding longer-term U.S. government bonds — recently hit a 12-year high.
This development suggests growing concerns over inflation, fiscal deficits, and systemic risks in traditional finance, prompting investors to seek alternative stores of value like Bitcoin.

2. Aggressive Whale Accumulation

Large Bitcoin holders, known as whales, have been relentlessly accumulating BTC, even amid volatility triggered by global trade tensions and market uncertainty.

In a striking example, on April 28, Strategy, a prominent institutional investor, announced it had purchased 15,355 Bitcoins worth $1.42 billion — a clear signal that major players see long-term upside.

3. Bitcoin’s Emergence as a ‘Safety Asset’

Perhaps most significantly, Bitcoin is steadily gaining ground as a ‘safety asset,’ gradually replacing gold in investor portfolios.
The rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs has fueled this trend, making Bitcoin more accessible to mainstream investors who previously relied on gold as a hedge against economic instability.

Kendrick emphasizes that while gold remains a favored asset for geopolitical hedging, Bitcoin’s decentralized and borderless nature offers a more effective protection against financial system risks.

Trump’s Tariff Policy Boosts Bitcoin’s Appeal Among U.S. Investors

Kendrick also highlighted how President Donald Trump’s recent move to extend tariff exemptions for all countries except China for 90 days has supercharged Bitcoin’s performance.

Following Trump’s announcement, Bitcoin decoupled from tech stocks, which had previously been its close companions in risk-on rallies.
This breakaway signals a maturing asset class capable of rallying independently based on macroeconomic catalysts, rather than just speculative appetite.

American investors, Kendrick notes, have intensified their Bitcoin buying after the tariffs news, continuing a trend seen during previous market shocks like:

• The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank,

• The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs,

• And Trump’s election victory.

Each of these events saw whales and institutions step up accumulation, betting on Bitcoin’s resilience.

ETF Inflows, Stablecoin Legislation Could Fuel Summer Rally

Looking ahead, Kendrick predicts continued bullish momentum into the summer of 2025, driven by two potential catalysts:

• ETF 13F filings: These disclosures by major investment funds could show significant Bitcoin ETF holdings, boosting confidence.

• Stablecoin regulation: Possible U.S. legislation providing a clear framework for stablecoins could further legitimize the crypto ecosystem and increase Bitcoin demand.

In Kendrick’s view, these developments will only accelerate Bitcoin’s trajectory toward his ambitious $200,000 price target.

Bitcoin vs. Gold: The New Battle for Safe-Haven Status

Kendrick boldly asserts that Bitcoin is now better positioned than gold as a hedge against financial system risks.
He points to significant fund flows out of gold ETFs and into Bitcoin ETFs, illustrating a generational shift in investor preferences.

While gold remains a trusted asset during geopolitical crises, Bitcoin’s:

• Censorship resistance,

• Finite supply,

• And global accessibility
  make it an increasingly attractive alternative.

“Bitcoin’s decentralized nature gives it an edge over gold in hedging against systemic financial risks,” Kendrick stated.

Bitcoin Price Update: Upward Momentum Building

As of the latest data from Kraken’s price page, Bitcoin is trading at $95,232.53, up by more than 1% over the last 24 hours.
This uptick supports Kendrick’s bullish case that Bitcoin is gaining momentum and could soon test six-figure territory for the first time.

Standard Chartered’s Call Could Ignite a New Crypto Gold Rush

Standard Chartered’s forecast for Bitcoin to hit $120,000 soon—and $200,000 by 2025—could not have come at a more pivotal moment.
With institutional adoption deepening, macro conditions deteriorating, and Bitcoin ETFs reshaping access, the pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling into place for another explosive rally.

Of course, risks remain. Bitcoin’s historical volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and the ever-present threat of technological vulnerabilities cannot be ignored.

Still, with a Wall Street giant like Standard Chartered throwing its weight behind Bitcoin’s bull case, the broader financial world may soon have no choice but to take Bitcoin seriously — or risk being left behind

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