The world of digital assets is heating up once again, and one of the most respected voices in global finance—Standard Chartered—is doubling down on its bullish outlook for Bitcoin. The $1.1 trillion asset manager recently announced that it expects Bitcoin to surpass its previous all-time high in the second quarter of 2025, with prices potentially climbing toward the **$120,000** mark. This bold forecast comes amid a powerful market rebound and growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency as a strategic hedge against macroeconomic shifts.
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A Bullish Turnaround in 2025
After a period of relative stagnation earlier in the year, Bitcoin has re-ignited investor enthusiasm with a strong upward trajectory. Over the past week alone, BTC surged past the $95,000 threshold, marking a gain of over 9%—a clear signal of renewed momentum. This rally has only strengthened Standard Chartered’s conviction that the leading cryptocurrency is poised for even greater heights.
Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Global Head of Digital Asset Research, has been particularly vocal in his recommendations. He urges investors to “buy now,” citing multiple technical and macroeconomic indicators pointing to sustained price appreciation. According to Kendrick, Bitcoin is not just recovering—it’s entering a new phase of growth driven by structural changes in global capital flows.
Strategic Reallocation Fuels Demand
One of the most compelling arguments behind Standard Chartered’s prediction is the ongoing strategic reallocation of assets away from traditional U.S.-based investments. With rising concerns over fiscal policy, inflation, and long-term dollar stability, institutional and high-net-worth investors are increasingly diversifying into non-sovereign stores of value.
Bitcoin, with its fixed supply cap and decentralized nature, fits this profile perfectly.
“A number of indicators support our view that Bitcoin is headed for the next leg higher,” said Geoffrey Kendrick. “The U.S. Treasury term premium—which has historically shown a strong correlation with BTC—is at a 12-year high.”
This shift isn't happening in isolation. There's also growing evidence of capital moving from traditional safe-haven assets like gold into digital alternatives such as Bitcoin. While gold has long served as a hedge during uncertain times, many investors now see Bitcoin as a more efficient, portable, and globally accessible option—especially in an era of digital finance.
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From $120,000 to $200,000: The Road Ahead
While the immediate target sits at $120,000**, Standard Chartered’s long-term vision goes even further. The bank projects that Bitcoin could reach **$200,000 before the end of 2025. This aggressive forecast builds on earlier predictions where the firm suggested BTC might hit $500,000 by the conclusion of a potential second U.S. presidential term under Donald Trump.
Even when Bitcoin’s performance lagged earlier in the year, Standard Chartered maintained its confidence in the asset’s trajectory. Now, with price action confirming their thesis, their optimism has only intensified.
The key drivers behind this surge include:
- Increasing adoption by sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors
- Strong correlation between U.S. Treasury yields and Bitcoin price movements
- Growing demand for decentralized, borderless assets amid geopolitical uncertainty
- Limited supply and increasing scarcity due to halving cycles
Why Q2 Could Be Pivotal
The second quarter of 2025 may prove to be a turning point for Bitcoin. Historically, BTC has experienced significant price movements following halving events—which reduce mining rewards and tighten supply—and while the most recent halving occurred in 2024, its full market impact often lags by 12 to 18 months.
Additionally, Q2 typically sees increased market liquidity and investor positioning ahead of mid-year economic reviews. With macro conditions favoring risk assets and declining faith in centralized financial systems, Bitcoin stands out as a compelling alternative.
Standard Chartered also notes that on-chain data and trading patterns suggest U.S.-based investors are playing a major role in the current buying pressure. Time-of-day analysis shows spikes in activity aligned with American markets, indicating domestic demand is accelerating.
Core Keywords Driving Market Sentiment
This surge in confidence is reflected across key industry terms that continue to trend:
- Bitcoin price prediction
- Bitcoin all-time high
- Standard Chartered Bitcoin forecast
- BTC to $120,000
- institutional adoption of Bitcoin
- Bitcoin vs gold
- digital asset investment
These keywords not only reflect current search trends but also highlight the evolving narrative around Bitcoin—from speculative asset to legitimate portfolio diversifier.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Standard Chartered’s new Bitcoin price target for Q2 2025?
A: Standard Chartered predicts that Bitcoin will reach a new all-time high in Q2 2025, with a short-term target of $120,000.
Q: Why does Standard Chartered believe Bitcoin will rise?
A: The bank cites several factors: rising U.S. Treasury term premiums, reallocation from gold to BTC, increased institutional demand, and a broader shift away from traditional U.S. assets.
Q: Has Standard Chartered changed its long-term Bitcoin forecast?
A: No—they previously projected Bitcoin could reach $500,000 by the end of a second Trump term. They’ve since reaffirmed this outlook and now expect BTC to hit $200,000 before the end of 2025.
Q: Is Bitcoin outperforming gold as a safe-haven asset?
A: While gold remains a staple, many investors are turning to Bitcoin due to its scarcity, portability, and growing acceptance as a digital reserve asset.
Q: What role are U.S. investors playing in the current rally?
A: On-chain and trading pattern analysis suggests U.S.-based investors are significantly contributing to the buying momentum, especially during local market hours.
Q: How reliable are bank-led crypto forecasts like Standard Chartered’s?
A: As one of the few major traditional banks with consistent and early bullish calls on crypto, Standard Chartered has built credibility in digital asset forecasting over recent years.
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Digital Assets
Standard Chartered’s latest forecast underscores a fundamental shift in how global financial institutions view Bitcoin. No longer dismissed as a fringe technology or speculative bubble, BTC is increasingly seen as a strategic asset class capable of weathering economic turbulence and delivering outsized returns.
With momentum building in Q2 2025 and strong institutional tailwinds behind it, Bitcoin appears ready to break through psychological resistance levels and set new benchmarks. Whether it reaches $120,000 this quarter or continues climbing toward $200,000—or even $500,000—the message from one of Wall Street’s most respected banks is clear: the time to act is now.
As always, investors should conduct their own research and consider risk management strategies when entering volatile markets. But with trusted financial analysts sounding the alarm on opportunity, ignoring Bitcoin’s upward trajectory could come at a cost.