Citi’s $143K Bitcoin Target Signals Crypto Spring as U.S. Regulatory Ice Thaws

Wall Street's crypto winter just got a major thaw forecast.

The Institutional Green Light

Forget the regulatory gray zone. A seismic shift in U.S. policy is clearing the fog for major financial players. We're not talking about vague promises—this is about concrete frameworks that let traditional capital off the leash. The gates, once heavily guarded, are starting to swing open.

The $143,000 Question

Citi's eye-popping target isn't pulled from thin air. It's a direct function of reduced friction. When compliance costs plummet and legal uncertainty evaporates, institutional allocation models get rewritten. That target price represents the mathematical outcome of capital finally flowing where it's wanted to go—without the old roadblocks. It's a re-rating of the entire asset class based on accessibility alone. (A cynical take? Wall Street only loves an asset once they've built the toll booths to profit from everyone else trading it.)

The New Playing Field

This isn't just about Bitcoin's price. It's a domino effect. Clear rules create a blueprint for everything from custody to ETFs, pulling billions in sidelined capital off the bench and into the game. The narrative flips from speculative gamble to strategic portfolio component almost overnight.

The message is crystal clear: the era of begging for permission is ending. The smart money is already positioning for what comes next.

Bitcoin is once again drawing serious attention from Wall Street. Two of the biggest U.S. banks,, are laying out fresh scenarios that point to strong upside for Bitcoin over the next year, based on regulation, market structure, and institutional positioning.

The timing is notable. bitcoin has already been through a sharp correction, major liquidations, and renewed regulatory scrutiny. Now, large banks are arguing that the worst may be behind it.

Citi Sees Bitcoin Climbing as Regulation Eases

Citigroup has set a, citing growing adoption and a more supportive regulatory environment. At the time of its note, Bitcoin was trading around $87,932, suggesting meaningful upside if those conditions continue.

“We anticipate regulatory catalysts will drive further adoption and flows,” Citi said.

The bank pointed to policy shifts in the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s renewed support for digital assets. That shift has coincided with dropped lawsuits against major crypto firms and fresh momentum in Congress, where lawmakers have confirmed that a markup for long-awaited crypto market structure legislation is expected in January.

We had a great call today with Chairmen @SenatorTimScott and @JohnBoozman who confirmed that a markup for Clarity is coming in January. Thanks to their leadership, as well as @RepFrenchHill and @CongressmanGT in the House, we are closer than ever to passing the landmark crypto…

Citi also acknowledged recent volatility. Bitcoin fell sharply in November, losing more than, its biggest dollar drop since May 2021, as investor risk appetite weakened and concerns around tech valuations grew.

Still, Citi believes prices are stabilizing after that reset.

“Token prices are closer to statistical measures of value based on user activity following the price reversal from October’s highs,” the bank noted.

In a more optimistic scenario, Citi sees Bitcoin reaching, while its bearish outlook places it near.

Why JPMorgan Thinks the Worst of the Selloff Is Over

JPMorgan’s outlook, last month, focused less on regulation and more on market mechanics. The bank believes Bitcoin could reach, driven by a completed deleveraging cycle.

“The message from the recent stabilization is that deleveraging in perpetual futures is likely behind us,” JPMorgan analysts wrote.

They pointed to record liquidations on Oct. 10, the largest in crypto history, followed by smaller selloffs in November. Since then, futures positioning has returned to more normal levels.

Bitcoin’s Growing Comparison With Gold

JPMorgan also compared Bitcoin to gold, noting that rising Gold volatility has improved Bitcoin’s appeal on a risk-adjusted basis. Based on that framework, the bank says Bitcoin still trades well below its theoretical fair value.

Bitcoin is increasingly being analyzed like a macro asset. That shift is important and everyone is watching closely to see where the price heads next.