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- Bitcoin may reach $150,000 by 2026 as dominance slips and institutions expand exposure.
- Banks stay bullish as ETFs, regulatory clarity, and inflows support higher Bitcoin targets.
- Stablecoins, DeFi consolidation, and corporate wallets drive broader crypto adoption.
Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by the end of 2026, according to Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly Capital. He also expects Bitcoin’s market dominance to fall from about 59%, even as prices rise from current levels near $87,000.
Qureshi said 2026 may deliver surprises on both sides of the market. He expects stronger institutional participation to continue shaping the industry. He also said real-world blockchain use will expand as weaker projects lose relevance.
Bitcoin dominance remains high but may trend lower over time. Qureshi described that shift as a sign of diversification rather than decline. He said capital is likely to rotate into other crypto sectors as the market matures.
Price forecasts have widened heading into 2026. Qureshi pointed to unresolved legal and regulatory issues as a key reason. Federal preemption debates and sports betting legalization remain unsettled and may not see resolution until next year.
Despite uncertainty, large banks remain optimistic. Citigroup has issued price targets between $143,000 and $189,000. The bank cited improving regulatory clarity as a driver of institutional confidence.
Banks Turn Bullish on Bitcoin as ETF Inflows and Price Targets Rise
Citigroup analysts highlighted the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. They said it enables deeper institutional participation. They also estimated spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds could attract up to $15 billion in net inflows during 2026.
Other banks share similar views. Standard Chartered forecasts Bitcoin at $150,000 by the end of 2026. JPMorgan projected a range between $150,000 and $170,000 over the same period.
Market data show Bitcoin trading below those targets. According to CoinGecko, Bitcoin is trading at $87,944 after a 0.9% daily gain. The asset remains 31% below its October 6, 2025, peak of $126,080.
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Qureshi also discussed risks in decentralized finance. He warned that insider trading scandals cannot be ruled out. He said market structure will matter more as the sector grows.
He predicted perpetual trading products could exceed a 20% share of the derivatives market. He also expects decentralized perpetual exchanges to consolidate into about three dominant platforms. He said consolidation could improve liquidity and execution.
Network Activity Shifts to Established Blockchain Ecosystems
Network activity will be oriented toward established chains. Qureshi sees Ethereum and Solana performing better as compared to Tempo, Arc, and Robinhood Chain. He mentions daily active addresses, flat and stable cryptocurrency flows, and the activity of real-world assets as important metrics.
His views still focus on developer decisions. Qureshi explained the best engineers will continue to develop neutral infrastructure chains. He hopes that this trend will strengthen the ecosystems and attract more talent.
Stablecoins will experience rapid growth. Qureshi predicts that the total supply of stablecoins will increase by approximately 60% by the year 2026. He predicts that the tokens that will be pegged to the U.S. dollar will control 99 percent or more of the market.
The growth of competition can reduce the dominance of USDT to approximately 55%. Qureshi also predicts a high increase in stablecoin-backed cards. He predicted an increase in usage by almost 1,000%.
Qureshi noted that it can turn into a first point of contact for stablecoins in emerging communities. Use cases for payments can grow exponentially.
In his perspective, corporate adoption is also involved. Qureshi believes that in 2026, at least one global technology company will either introduce or buy a crypto wallet. He has named Google, Apple, and Meta as potential choices.
This would expose billions of users to Bitcoin through well-known platforms. Qureshi further anticipates additional Fortune 100 organizations to embrace blockchain technology in the banking and financial services sector.
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