Bitcoin has erased its gains over the course of this year after surging to a peak of $126,000 per bitcoin in October (leaving many increasingly fearful of a 2026 crypto “collapse”). Sign up now for CryptoCodex—A free crypto newsletter that will get you ahead of the market The bitcoin price is down around 30% from its all-time high,

Citi forecast that the bitcoin price could reach $143,000 over the next year, with a bullish case above $189,000 and a bearish scenario near $78,500.

Bitcoin price prediction remains divided for 2026 after Fed-driven volatility, while investors assess Pepeto’s presale positioning, meme-utility ecosystem, and early-stage asymmetric upside.

"Bitcoin falling alongside Fed funds," McGlone wrote on X. “Since the Fed cut 25 basis points on September 17, bitcoin has dropped almost 25%. Is it the start of post-inflation deflation or just a dip in the uptrend? My bias is the former.”

The bitcoin price briefly surged above $89,000 on Thursday after a sharply cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation report, before pulling back to around $88,374.

Veteran trader Peter Brandt said the potential passage of the US Clarity Act is unlikely to have a significant impact on Bitcoin’s price, after indications that it could pass Congress as soon as January.

The Wall Street bank said its bitcoin forecast relies on further crypto ETF inflows and a continued rally in traditional equity markets.

Mike McGlone warns Bitcoin could drop to $10K due to weakening demand and market shifts, signaling potential downside.

The Bank of Japan has raised its benchmark rate by 0.25%, now standing at 0.75%. Bitcoin has historically fallen 20-30% after BoJ rate hikes, driven