Bitcoin Year-End Outlook Diverges: Optimists Eye $100,000, Cautious Camp Focuses on Inflation Pressure

October 18 — According to CoinDesk, institutions hold differing views on Bitcoin's year-end trajectory, with optimists eyeing $100,000 and the cautious camp focusing on inflation pressure.

Bitwise Head of Research Ryan Rasmussen believes that, driven by continued institutional buying via ETFs and corporations, inflation and government debt concerns, and a clearer regulatory environment, Bitcoin could break above $100,000 by the end of 2026. LO:TECH Head of Research Adam Morgan McCarthy, meanwhile, expects Bitcoin to most likely trade in the $85,000–$95,000 range before year-end, with inflation pressure and Fed policy remaining market headwinds; to return above $100,000, the market may need to lower expectations for a Fed rate hike in December, and falling oil prices and easing inflation could help bring about that shift.

CoinShares Head of Research James Butterfill, for his part, points out that the tension between persistent inflation and a weakening labor market will affect the Fed's future policy room: cooling inflation could provide leeway to address labor market weakness, while a renewed pickup in inflation could keep monetary policy restrictive.