Bitcoin Poised for $120K Surge as Advisors Triple Down on Crypto

The latest Bitwise Asset Management survey reveals an overwhelming 99% of financial advisors who allocated to digital assets in 2025 plan to maintain or increase their exposure in 2026—a powerful institutional endorsement that analysts believe could drive bitcoin toward the $120,000 mark by the fourth quarter of this year. Conducted in partnership with VettaFi, the 2026 Benchmark Survey highlights how surging institutional demand and Bitcoin's impressive 2025 rally have already pushed crypto allocations to record highs among financial professionals. This near-unanimous commitment from advisors signals a maturing market where digital assets are increasingly viewed as a core component of diversified portfolios rather than a speculative niche. The bullish sentiment stems from growing regulatory clarity, improved custody solutions, and the expanding ecosystem of Bitcoin ETFs and structured products that make institutional participation more accessible. As traditional finance continues its accelerated adoption of cryptocurrency, this survey data suggests that the capital inflow from advised portfolios could provide substantial upward momentum for Bitcoin prices throughout 2026. The $120,000 projection reflects not just retail enthusiasm but calculated confidence from financial professionals who manage trillions in client assets. This institutional validation represents a critical phase in crypto's evolution, potentially stabilizing volatility while attracting further mainstream investment. The survey findings arrive at a pivotal moment when Bitcoin's infrastructure, regulatory environment, and market maturity have aligned to create what many advisors now see as a compelling long-term investment thesis.

Bitwise Survey Reveals Near-Unanimous Crypto Holding Plans Among Financial Advisors

Financial advisors are doubling down on crypto. Bitwise Asset Management's 2026 Benchmark Survey shows 99% of advisors who allocated to digital assets in 2025 plan to maintain or increase exposure this year—a vote of confidence that could propel Bitcoin toward $120,000 by Q4.

The survey, conducted with VettaFi, reveals institutional demand and Bitcoin's 2025 rally drove crypto allocations to record highs. Nearly one-third of advisors invested in crypto for client accounts last year, up from 22% in 2024.

"Advisors are the gatekeepers," says Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan. "Their unprecedented embrace of crypto in 2025 signals a structural shift—this isn't speculative fever but strategic allocation."

Market mechanics appear to support the optimism. With 65% of advisors predicting Bitcoin above $110,000 before 2027, the stage is set for sustained institutional inflows. The question isn't whether crypto belongs in portfolios, but how much.

Strive Acquires Semler Scientific, Bolstering Bitcoin Holdings to Nearly 13,000 BTC

Strive, led by ex-DOGE co-head Vivek Ramaswamy, has completed its acquisition of Semler Scientific in a landmark deal that creates the 11th largest corporate Bitcoin treasury globally. The transaction adds Semler's 5,048.1 BTC to Strive's existing 7,749.8 BTC hoard, valued at over $800 million at current prices.

In a parallel move, Strive purchased an additional 123 BTC at $91,561 per coin, signaling continued accumulation. The acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Ramaswamy, who resigned from government service in January 2025 amid reported clashes with Elon Musk over policy direction.

The deal underscores institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a treasury asset, with Strive now controlling nearly 1% of the total 21 million BTC supply cap. Market observers note the transaction occurred without significant price volatility, suggesting mature liquidity absorption.

Bitcoin Volatility Signals Potential Move: Bullish Breakout Or A Deeper Correction?

Bitcoin is pressing above the $92,000 level after an eventful start to 2026 marked by intensified geopolitical and political developments. In early January, the United States launched a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and significant upheaval in regional politics and energy markets. This action formed part of a broader US campaign against illicit networks and pressure on Caracas, with implications for global oil flows and uncertainty in macroeconomic sentiment across markets.

Simultaneously, tensions between Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and US President Donald TRUMP over monetary policy and institutional independence have added another layer of volatility. In a rare and pointed statement, Powell framed the situation as a direct consequence of central bank independence, saying: “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Fed setting rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.”

Despite these headline risks, Bitcoin’s price action has entered a period of calm, with realized volatility compressing to historically low levels. Such low-volatility regimes typically reflect a temporary balance between supply and demand.

In past cycles, extended calm like this has often preceded periods of significant volatility and range expansion, as accumulation phases resolve into decisive directional moves.

Bitcoin Mirrors Silver's 2017 Cup and Handle Pattern, Signaling Potential Breakout

Bitcoin's price chart is exhibiting a Cup and Handle formation strikingly similar to the pattern Silver displayed before its historic 2017 rally. Analysts suggest this could precede a significant upward MOVE for the cryptocurrency.

Crypto analyst Merlijn the Trader highlights the parallel between Bitcoin's current structure and Silver's decade-long base formation that culminated in a dramatic breakout. The precious metal's 2017 surge followed a prolonged period of investor disinterest, with its eventual breach of $54 resistance triggering a rapid price appreciation.

The Bitcoin pattern, developing since the 2021 bull cycle, now appears poised for resolution. Market observers note the rounded bottom formation and flat resistance level mirror Silver's pre-rally technical setup, potentially foreshadowing similar explosive price action for the digital asset.

Bitcoin Institutional Shift: CLARITY Act Nears Senate Review

Bitcoin's price stagnation has fueled bearish sentiment, but beneath the surface, a structural shift is underway. Long-term holders are demonstrating resilience, sell-side pressure has eased, and on-chain activity points to a more deliberate market. This evolution coincides with a pivotal regulatory moment.

The US Senate Banking Committee will review the CLARITY Act on January 15, 2026—a potential inflection point for Bitcoin's regulatory standing. While not a short-term catalyst, this legislation could cement Bitcoin's position within the institutional framework. On-chain data already reflects adaptation to a regulated environment, signaling a new phase for the asset.

Bitcoin On-Chain Alert: 2021 Cycle Coins Awaken in Market-Stirring Moves

Two seismic transactions have rattled the Bitcoin blockchain as dormant coins from the 2021 cycle abruptly entered circulation. Blockchain analysts observed 539 BTC and 1,566 BTC shifting from wallets untouched since the last bull market—a potential harbinger of strategic repositioning by long-term holders.

The movement originates from the 3-5 year age band, representing coins accumulated during the January 2021-January 2023 period. This cohort weathered both the euphoric highs of BTC's $69,000 peak and the subsequent crypto winter. Such awakenings typically precede volatility, as veteran investors either take profits or reallocate capital.

CryptoQuant's Maartunn highlighted these transactions through Bitcoin's Spent Output Age Bands metric. The timing raises eyebrows—while some interpret this as smart money rotating positions, others see confirmation of growing institutional interest. The market watches closely whether these coins find new long-term holders or hit exchange order books.