Standard Chartered predicts Bitcoin to hit $135K by Q3, surge to $200K by year-end

  • Standard Chartered continues to stand by its bold long-term call of Bitcoin reaching $500,000 by 2028.
  • The bank’s $200,000 forecast for year-end 2025, if realized, would mark a near-doubling from current levels.
  • In his note, Kendrick argued that the dynamics driving BTC have fundamentally changed.

Standard Chartered is doubling down on its bullish outlook for Bitcoin, forecasting the cryptocurrency will rise to $135,000 by the end of the third quarter and breach the $200,000 mark by the close of 2025.

The prediction, published in a research note Wednesday, attributes the strength of Bitcoin’s rally to increased institutional demand, especially from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and corporate treasuries.

The latest projections come from Geoff Kendrick, head of digital asset research at Standard Chartered, who has been consistently optimistic on Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory.

In his note, Kendrick argued that the dynamics driving BTC have fundamentally changed, marking a departure from the cryptocurrency’s historical halving cycle patterns.

The new drivers behind BTC’s movements

Kendrick said that Bitcoin has “moved beyond the previous dynamic whereby prices fell 18 months after a ‘halving’ cycle,” referring to the roughly four-year interval when the Bitcoin network reduces mining rewards by half.

This mechanism has historically driven supply shocks that led to price booms followed by corrections, often within an 18-month window.

However, Kendrick said the latest halving in April 2024 is unlikely to follow the same trajectory due to the emergence of stronger demand drivers absent in previous cycles.

“We expect prices to resume their uptrend, supported by continued strong ETF and Bitcoin treasury buying,” Kendrick wrote.

According to the report, ETF and corporate treasury flows accounted for approximately 245,000 BTC in the second quarter of 2025 alone.

Kendrick projects that level will be exceeded in both the third and fourth quarters, citing deepening institutional adoption as a structural support for higher prices.

His comments come as spot Bitcoin ETF flows in the United States turned negative for the first time in more than two weeks.

According to data from SoSoValue, US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $342.3 million in net outflows on Tuesday, ending a 15-day streak of positive inflows that had totaled $4.8 billion.

Bitcoin at $500K

Standard Chartered continues to stand by its bold long-term call of Bitcoin reaching $500,000 by 2028.

This forecast is premised on sustained institutional interest and broader macroeconomic conditions that could favour digital assets over traditional stores of value.

The bank’s $200,000 forecast for year-end 2025, if realized, would mark a near-doubling from current levels.

As of Wednesday, Bitcoin was trading at approximately $107,500.

Despite the recent outflow from ETFs, Kendrick’s outlook suggests that large-scale institutional allocation to Bitcoin remains a secular trend, with growing interest from corporate treasuries potentially altering how firms manage balance sheet assets.

Bitcoin is up more than 70% over the past year.

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Celsius vs Tether lawsuit moves ahead in US court over $4 billion Bitcoin sale

  • Celsius claims Tether’s 2022 Bitcoin sale broke contract terms.
  • Over 39,500 BTC were liquidated at $20,656 average price.
  • Claims include breach of contract and fraudulent transfer.

Celsius Network’s efforts to hold Tether accountable for a $4 billion Bitcoin liquidation just cleared a major hurdle in US court.

A bankruptcy judge has now allowed Celsius to proceed with legal action against Tether, despite the stablecoin giant’s attempts to halt the case on jurisdictional grounds.

The lawsuit centres on claims that Tether prematurely and unfairly sold nearly 40,000 BTC during Celsius’s collapse in mid-2022, in breach of a contractual agreement and US bankruptcy laws.

The ruling could mark a turning point for how global crypto firms are treated in American courts, especially when assets are involved that were managed, sold, or transferred through US-linked systems.

While the court dismissed some peripheral allegations, it upheld key claims, including breach of contract and fraudulent transfer, allowing Celsius’s case to continue.

Celsius accuses Tether of early Bitcoin liquidation breach

The dispute dates back to June 2022, when Celsius was already reeling from the broader crypto market crash. Court filings reveal that Tether had lent money to Celsius and, in return, received collateral in Bitcoin.

Celsius now alleges that Tether liquidated 39,500 BTC at an average price of $20,656 without providing the contractually required 10-hour notice period.

The assets, according to Celsius, were liquidated during a time of extreme market volatility, and sold significantly below market value. Celsius claims the early sale resulted in a loss of over $4 billion based on current Bitcoin prices.

Moreover, the company alleges that Tether later transferred the liquidated BTC to Bitfinex, a platform operated by Tether’s sister company, raising concerns around related-party dealings and asset custody.

US court rejects Tether’s jurisdictional challenge

In its defence, Tether had argued that the case should be thrown out because it operates from the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. The company said US courts had no jurisdiction over its business.

However, the judge disagreed, pointing to the fact that Tether used US-based staff, bank accounts, and communication systems in its dealings with Celsius.

The court ruled that Tether’s actions were sufficiently “domestic” to fall under US legal scrutiny.

This decision now paves the way for Celsius to pursue several key legal charges including breach of contract, fraudulent transfer, and preferential treatment of certain creditors—allegations that strike at the core of how digital asset lenders and stablecoin issuers operate.

Broader implications for crypto lending and stablecoin governance

Legal experts say the outcome of this case could influence the regulatory treatment of stablecoin issuers, particularly in the US.

If Celsius is able to demonstrate that Tether mismanaged client assets or failed to honour notice periods during market stress, it may prompt calls for stricter oversight on asset liquidation procedures, especially for offshore firms operating through US financial infrastructure.

The case may also set a precedent for future cross-border lending disputes and clarify whether offshore crypto companies can be held accountable in US bankruptcy proceedings.

The outcome could therefore impact how other large digital asset firms manage collateral and liquidity risk during market downturns.

Tether grows market presence amid legal scrutiny

Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Tether has continued to expand its footprint in the crypto sector. The company recently acquired a majority stake in Twenty One Capital, a firm associated with Strike CEO Jack Mallers.

This move connects Tether to the third-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally.

In another significant development, Tether transferred around 37,230 BTC—currently worth $3.9 billion—to addresses associated with its trading operations.

The company appears to be consolidating its Bitcoin reserves even as it navigates the legal fallout from the Celsius collapse.

Meanwhile, speculation continues over Tether’s valuation and a possible initial public offering.

However, CEO Paolo Ardoino has denied any plans for a public listing, stating that the firm is not preparing for an IPO despite rumoured valuations nearing $500 billion.

As the Celsius case moves into the next phase, attention will remain on how Tether responds to mounting legal pressure in one of the largest financial disputes in crypto history.

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Bitcoin Pepe price outlook after Robert Kiyosaki predicts BTC will hit $1M soon

  • Bitcoin trades strong above $107K as analysts predict a potential climb to $112K in July.
  • Robert Kiyosaki fuels bullish sentiment, forecasting Bitcoin to hit $1 million.
  • Bitcoin Pepe raises $16M, with MEXC listing and staking pool offering 15,000% APY.

Bitcoin is trading strong at $107,121.73 on Wednesday after witnessing some volatility over the past few weeks owing to geopolitical tensions. 

Kicking off July, market analysts are eyeing more upside, with some projecting Bitcoin could hit $112,000 before the month ends. 

Bullish sentiment remains strong, fueled by steady investor interest and encouraging technical signals.

Cryptocurrency investors are keeping a close eye on improving economic indicators and recent remarks by US Fed chief Jerome Powell around the possibility of a rate cut this month will also weigh in on the sentiment. 

Meanwhile, Bitcoin Pepe’s price outlook is looking stronger than ever as it seems all set to make final listing announcements on July 31. 

Bitcoin Pepe’s impressive $16 million raise makes it clear that investors are backing their conviction with serious capital. 

And with the recent announcement that major exchange MEXC is officially listing BPEP, investor FOMO is quickly gaining momentum.

Robert Kiyosaki says BTC will soon touch $1 million

BTC price may get further boost by recent remarks of Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the popular ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ book. 

Robert Kiyosaki announced that he recently purchased some more Bitcoins and he thinks that BTC’s price will soon touch $1 millon. 

“Bought another Bitcoin today.  I realize I could be wrong and a sucker.  Would not be the first time in my life I was played for a FOOL. Yet I believe Bitcoin will one day soon be $1 million a coin. If I am a sucker…. I’d rather be a sucker than a LOSER if Bitcoin does go to $1 million,” Kiyosaki said in a post on X.

Kiyosaki has repeatedly called on people to abandon what he calls “fake fiat money” and instead safeguard their wealth by investing in real assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin.

Robert Kiyosaki is not the only top-tier investor who is backing the Bitcoin as many high net worth individuals have spoken about the bright prospects of the crypto markets.

Recently, billionaire tech investor Philippe Laffont admitted that sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and regrets missed opportunities to invest in Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Pepe price outlook 

Bitcoin is displaying strength at current levels and investors are closely eyeing the $108,500 resistance as that may work as a cue to a rally towards new all-time high. 

With capital flowing back into digital assets, high-risk areas like meme coins are once again catching the eye of investors.

At the forefront of this renewed interest is Bitcoin Pepe.

Bitcoin Pepe is positioning itself as the bridge that brings Bitcoin into the modern era introducing the meme and DeFi layer that the world’s oldest and most liquid blockchain has long lacked.

With BTC’s strong performance this year, the BPEP narrative is gaining serious traction across KOLs, trader circles, and every day X users alike.

What started as a meme-driven layer 2 is quickly evolving into a key player in Bitcoin’s emerging DeFi ecosystem, fueled by growing community momentum and a viral snowball effect.

BPEP’s momentum has been undeniable. With over $16 million now raised, the project has quickly emerged as one of 2025’s breakout presale stars, drawing serious attention across the crypto space.

Bitcoin Pepe’s current price is hovering around $0.0437 and is further expected to jump towards $0.0458 after the final listing announcements on July 31. 

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Best crypto to buy now as analysts see Bitcoin hitting $200K

  • Bitcoin Pepe‘s presale has seen continued momentum ever since it was launched in February.
  • The presale has raised over $16 million.
  • As per the team, the BPEP token is set to be listed on MEXC and BitMart.

Crypto market sentiment remained stable on Wednesday, even as Bitcoin continued to hover near the $107,000 level.

Traders appear to be in a wait-and-watch mode ahead of key US economic data releases scheduled for Thursday.

The upcoming reports include May job openings from the US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), as well as June’s non-farm payrolls and unemployment rate figures that could influence market expectations around monetary policy.

At the European Central Bank’s forum on Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that decisions on rate cuts will be data-dependent but offered no guidance on the timing of any potential policy shifts.

Even in this cautious environment, one early-stage project has continued to grab attention.

Bitcoin Pepe has seen continued momentum ever since it was launched in February.

Bitwise sees BTC hitting $200,000

“It’s been a mixed year for crypto asset prices,” Bitwise’s Matt Hougan and Ryan Rasmussen wrote, noting that Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $112,000 in May, driven by strong ETF inflows, increasing adoption by treasury-focused companies, and the establishment of a US strategic bitcoin reserve.

In contrast, Ethereum and Solana have both posted year-to-date losses, a divergence the firm attributes to macroeconomic uncertainty and uneven investor sentiment.

Despite the disparity, Bitwise remains optimistic about the second half of the year.

“We’re holding firm to our BTC $200k prediction, as there is simply too much institutional demand for BTC to keep prices flat for long,” Hougan said.

While the firm expressed less confidence in the outlook for ETH and SOL, it cited potential tailwinds from ETF approvals, growing interest in stablecoins, and the rise of ETH and SOL treasury firms.

Bitwise’s forecast that Bitcoin ETF inflows will exceed last year’s $35 billion remains intact, with wider distribution through major wealth platforms supporting that projection.

Bitcoin Pepe’s resilience

The crypto market has seen heightened volatility in recent months, with sharp rallies, steep pullbacks, and shifting investor sentiment defining the landscape.

Despite these fluctuations, the Bitcoin Pepe presale has shown resilience, continuing to attract steady capital inflows.

The sustained interest indicates that the project may be well-positioned to weather current market conditions.

As the first meme-centric Layer 2 on the Bitcoin network, Bitcoin Pepe aims to differentiate itself by combining Bitcoin’s foundational security with scalability features typically associated with platforms like Solana.

This blend of robust infrastructure and cultural relevance distinguishes it from many meme tokens that lack technical depth.

To advance its Layer 2 development, Bitcoin Pepe has entered into partnerships with Super Meme, Catamoto, and Plena Finance.

The project’s strategy of pairing functional utility with meme-driven appeal appears to be gaining traction in the market.

The presale has raised over $16.2 million so far, with BPEP tokens priced at $0.0437.

Listings on MEXC and BitMart are planned, moves that are expected to improve liquidity, enhance visibility, and bolster credibility.

The final listing announcement is scheduled for July 31, drawing additional investor attention as the presale approaches its final stages.

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BTC trades stably near $105.5K; institutional ETF inflows reached $2.2B last week

Bitcoin (BTC) is trading steadily above the $105,500 mark as the Asian trading day gets underway on Wednesday.

This comes after a slight correction from the $107,000 level it held during US business hours.

Despite the significant geopolitical upheaval of the past few weeks, including a US strike on Iran that surprised both geopolitical experts and prediction market bettors, Bitcoin has once again demonstrated its resilience as a store of value.

CoinDesk market data shows that the asset class has remained remarkably stable over the last month, up a modest 1%.

A disciplined climb: HODLers stand firm

However, this return to a price point that is within striking distance of Bitcoin’s all-time high of nearly $111,000 (hit in May) feels different this time, according to market observers.

It’s characterized by a sense of discipline rather than the euphoria that often accompanies bull runs.

Unlike the breakout above $100,000 in December 2024, which triggered a significant wave of profit-taking, long-term investors now appear content to sit on their unrealized gains.

This observation is supported by analysis from Glassnode in their weekly note.

“HODLing appears to be the dominant market mechanic,” the Glassnode analysts wrote.

They pointed to a surge in the supply held by long-term holders, which has now reached 14.7 million BTC, coupled with historically low levels of realized profits.

This on-chain activity strongly indicates a limited desire to sell, even as Bitcoin trades just below its record highs.

Further reinforcing this narrative of restraint, metrics such as the adjusted Spent Output Profit Ratio (aSOPR) are hovering just above the breakeven point, according to Glassnode.

This suggests that the coins currently being spent are, for the most part, recent acquisitions involved in tactical trades rather than representing a broad distribution or sell-off by long-term holders.

Meanwhile, Glassnode data also shows that the “Liveliness” metric continues to decline, a clear sign that older, long-held coins remain dormant in their wallets.

The institutional undercurrent: steady demand meets rising leverage

This patience from seasoned investors is being met with persistent institutional demand.

In its daily markets update, trading firm QCP highlighted this trend, noting that market data indicates a substantial $2.2 billion in net inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs just last week.

QCP described the overall tone of these flows as “constructive” and pointed out that dedicated crypto treasury companies such as Strategy and Metaplanet continue to accumulate Bitcoin.

These steady institutional inflows are quietly but fundamentally reshaping the market’s structure.

Bitcoin’s realized cap—a metric that measures the price at which coins last moved on-chain—has grown to an impressive $955 billion.

This growth is widely seen as a sign that real, committed capital, not just fleeting speculation, is flowing into the asset.

A fragile equilibrium: the standoff in the market

However, not everything is calm beneath the surface. QCP’s report also noted that leveraged long positions have been on the rise, with funding rates turning positive across major perpetual futures markets.

This indicates that short-term traders are increasingly using leverage to bet on further price increases.

Glassnode, in its analysis, warns that this situation may not be sustainable indefinitely. “The market may need to move higher, or lower, to unlock additional supply,” the firm wrote, suggesting that the current equilibrium between the unwavering conviction of long-term holders and the increasing leverage of short-term traders won’t hold forever.

Even major political news, such as the US Senate’s approval of the White House’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” has failed to produce a significant price reaction from Bitcoin.

This has led to a market that feels less like a stampeding bull run and more like a tense standoff. On one side are the long-term holders who are refusing to sell, and on the other are the short-term traders piling into leveraged positions.

This fragile equilibrium has market observers on the edge of their seats, wondering where the next major catalyst will come from and whether it will make Bitcoin’s next move an explosive one.

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