Standard Chartered has released a bold new forecast for Bitcoin, projecting the cryptocurrency to reach $135,000 by the end of Q3 2025 and surpass $200,000 by the close of the year. This bullish outlook comes amid strong demand from corporate treasuries and consistent inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to the bank’s head of digital asset research, Geoff Kendrick.
Kendrick believes that these two powerful buying forces are reshaping the typical Bitcoin market cycle. Historically, Bitcoin has seen a notable price correction 18 months after each halving, as observed in 2016 and 2020. However, Kendrick argues that this pattern is no longer reliable in the current cycle due to significant ETF demand and increasing institutional accumulation.
ETFs and Corporate Demand Reshape the Bitcoin Cycle
In their latest report, Standard Chartered emphasizes that the post-halving dip may not materialize this time. The bank attributes this shift to the strong flow of funds into spot Bitcoin ETFs and a surge in corporate treasury purchases. These inflows are helping to support prices and counterbalance typical market corrections.
Data from SoSoValue shows that US spot Bitcoin ETFs experienced $342.3 million in outflows on Tuesday, following a remarkable 15-day streak of inflows totaling $4.8 billion. Despite the recent outflows, Kendrick remains optimistic. He projects ETF and corporate treasury demand will exceed 245,000 BTC in both Q3 and Q4 of 2025.
Standard Chartered’s long-term view is even more optimistic. The bank sees the potential for Bitcoin to climb as high as $500,000 by 2028 if current trends continue and institutional adoption accelerates.
In summary, Bitcoin’s market dynamics are evolving. If Standard Chartered’s predictions hold, 2025 could mark a major turning point in crypto history — one driven not by halving cycles, but by sustained institutional investment and mainstream financial products.
