Major Banks Lower Bitcoin Price Targets for 2026

Major financial institutions have revised their Bitcoin (BTC) price targets for 2026 downward. Standard Chartered now predicts a price of $100,000, Citi has set its target at $113,000, and Bernstein expects $125,000. As of October 6, Bitcoin is trading at $85,896, which means it needs to rise by 16.4% to reach the lowest target of $100,000.

Standard Chartered dramatically cut its 2026 Bitcoin target from $150,000 to $100,000 in February. By September, analyst Geoff Kendrick suggested that even this target might be conservative, hinting at a possible retest of the $126,000 mark. Citi made the most significant adjustments, starting with a $143,000 target that it later reduced to $82,000 before raising it back to $113,000 in October. Bernstein also revised its expectations downward, lowering its year-end target from $150,000 to $125,000 by early October.

To meet these revised targets, Bitcoin must rally significantly: 16.4% to reach $100,000, 31.6% for $113,000, and 45.5% for $125,000. Each target is set for different dates, with Citi’s projection extending to October 2027, while Standard Chartered and Bernstein’s targets are year-end goals. Despite the lowered predictions, all three firms still expect Bitcoin to finish 2026 above its current price.

Investors should view these targets with caution, as they can change rapidly. Citi demonstrated this by cutting its target to $82,000 in July, only to raise it again three months later. If Bitcoin falters in the fourth quarter, these banks could lower their forecasts again. Analysts like Gautam Chhugani of Bernstein link their forecasts to Bitcoin’s cyclical price movements, mining costs, and monetary policy impacts.