Bitcoin in 2026: price projections indicate consolidation with an upward bias

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Bitcoin in 2026: Price projections indicate consolidation with an upward bias Original Link: The price of Bitcoin started the new year quoted at around US$ 87,800, sometimes approaching US$ 90,000 or falling slightly below, that is, sideways, at a time when analysts are assessing how the asset might behave throughout 2026.

According to a compilation of analyses published by Forbes on Thursday, January 1st, the market is entering a more mature phase of the cycle, with less speculative euphoria and greater influence of structural factors.

A cycle different from previous ones

2025 marked new all-time highs for Bitcoin, but the year ended below the peak. Now, the focus shifts to macroeconomic conditions, institutional flows, and market structure.

Unlike past cycles, retail speculation has weakened, while spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States have established themselves as a stable channel for institutional capital inflow.

Additionally, the slowdown in supply growth after the halving and a more restrictive financial environment helped keep the price contained, despite long-term structural demand.

Bitcoin price targets for 2026

The projections gathered by Forbes show a wide range. Tom Lee of Fundstrat stated that Bitcoin could hit new all-time highs before January 2026, suggesting a continuation of the upward movement. Meanwhile, analysts from Standard Chartered and Bernstein project prices around US$ 150,000 by the end of 2026, even after more conservative revisions.

Estimates compiled by Yahoo Finance also point to levels close to US$ 170,000, depending on the macroeconomic scenario and adoption rate.

Market sentiment and indicators

Sentiment indicators show an even broader range. Comments on analysis platforms vary from pessimistic scenarios near US$ 65,000 to optimistic projections reaching US$ 250,000. Other analyses cited by Forbes highlight the ongoing influence of ETFs and the growth of stablecoins as relevant factors for valuation models.

Consolidation as the central theme

Overall, Forbes emphasizes that 2026 is likely to be less marked by speculative rallies and more by price consolidation and discovery.

The concentration of forecasts between US$ 120,000 and US$ 170,000 reinforces the perception that Bitcoin is increasingly integrated into traditional financial markets, with its trajectory dependent on institutional decisions and global macroeconomic conditions.