Analysts Target $1M Bitcoin With a Surging Institution-Led Cycle

Bernstein’s latest outlook signals bitcoin entering a longer, institution-led bull phase, with resilient ETF flows and expanding corporate adoption pointing to powerful structural momentum that could reshape crypto’s trajectory.

Bernstein Projects Extended Bitcoin Bull Cycle

Bullish sentiment around bitcoin continues to build as global equity research and brokerage firm Bernstein issued a revised outlook. The update focused on a break from the traditional four-year cycle. It emphasized a market increasingly driven by institutional participation.

“In view of recent market correction, we believe, the bitcoin cycle has broken the 4-year pattern (cycle peaking every 4 years) and is now in an elongated bull-cycle with more sticky institutional buying offsetting any retail panic selling,” the firm said, according to Matthew Sigel, head of digital asset research at Vaneck, who shared the information.

Underscoring that ETF behavior reflects strengthening long-term ownership, Bernstein’s statement continued: “Despite a ~30% bitcoin correction, we have seen less than 5% outflows via ETFs.” The firm added:

We are moving our 2026E bitcoin price target to $150,000, with the cycle potentially peaking in 2027E at $200,000. Our long term 2033E bitcoin price target remains ~$1,000,000.

Read more: Corporate Treasuries Could Inject $330B Into Bitcoin—Bernstein

Bernstein, a major Wall Street research and brokerage firm, maintains a deeply bullish thesis grounded in institutional adoption, supply dynamics, and technological convergence. Their analysts highlight spot bitcoin ETFs as a transformative force that could drive unprecedented capital inflows, while expecting corporations to widen treasury exposure over the decade. They also point to bitcoin mining’s integration with AI data-center hosting as a stabilizing evolution that broadens institutional appeal. The firm argues that bitcoin’s fixed supply positions it to eventually overtake gold as the dominant store of value, describing the environment as a “long and exhausting crypto bull market” fueled by structural financial integration and rising regulatory clarity.

FAQ ⏰

• What bitcoin trend does Bernstein highlight in its revised outlook?

Bernstein says bitcoin has shifted into an elongated bull cycle driven by institutional demand.

• How does ETF activity support Bernstein’s bitcoin thesis?

The firm notes less than 5% ETF outflows during a 30% correction, signaling strong long-term holders.

• What price targets does Bernstein project for bitcoin?

Bernstein forecasts $150,000 in 2026, $200,000 in 2027, and about $1,000,000 by 2033.

• Why does Bernstein believe bitcoin could surpass gold?

Analysts cite bitcoin’s fixed supply and expanding institutional integration as catalysts for overtaking gold as a store of value.