Bitcoin Price Forecast: Tom Lee Says Bitcoin Could Hit $250K Before 2026
Bitcoin Price Forecast – Tom Lee, co-founder of Fundstrat and chairman of BitMine, has once again caught the attention of the crypto world by forecasting that Bitcoin (BTC) could surge to $250,000 in 2025. Speaking on the Coin Stories podcast with Natalie Brunell, Lee suggested that Bitcoin could build upon its current momentum and reach between $200,000 to $250,000 by year-end.
Lee’s prediction isn’t entirely new—he first made the $250K call in November 2024, giving a 12-month timeline for Bitcoin to hit that milestone. Despite recent volatility in the market, he remains optimistic, citing growing institutional interest and a possible shift in Bitcoin’s traditional four-year cycle.
Diverging Views from Analysts
Not all market experts share Lee’s bullish stance. While BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes and Unchained’s Joe Burnett have echoed similar targets, other institutions remain cautious. In May, both Bernstein and Standard Chartered set their year-end Bitcoin targets at $200,000, while 10x Research’s Markus Thielen projected a more conservative $160,000.
Adding to the debate, Rekt Capital noted that if Bitcoin follows its 2020 cycle, the market may peak in October 2025, about 550 days post-halving. Meanwhile, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan dismissed the four-year halving cycle altogether, predicting 2026 as a more promising year.
Market Sentiment Turns Neutral
Bitcoin’s price has seen turbulence in recent weeks. After hitting a new all-time high of $123,100 on July 14, BTC retraced to around $113,000. Correspondingly, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index shifted from “Greed” to “Neutral,” signaling a cooling in market sentiment.
Still, Lee believes that skepticism is healthy. “It’s a sign that there is still price discovery underway,” he said, adding that widespread bullishness often marks market tops.
Looking ahead, Lee maintains his long-term vision: Bitcoin at $1 million—eventually.
