Bitcoin’s bottom in sight? Why Bernstein still expects $150K BTC rally

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-03-25Last updated on 2026-03-25

Abstract

Bernstein analysts assert that Bitcoin has likely bottomed and project a rally to $150,000 by year-end, citing strong institutional demand as a key support. Despite geopolitical tensions and a 45% drop from its 2025 highs, BTC has shown resilience, outperforming gold by 25% since late February. While short-term caution persists—evidenced by recent ETF outflows—technical indicators and liquidation heatmaps suggest buy support near $71,000-$73,000. However, significant sell orders at higher levels may challenge a major breakout. The report acknowledges mixed signals but views current conditions as a setup for a potential major upward move, contingent on overcoming key resistance.

Global markets are still uncertain due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, but Wall Street firm Bernstein believes Bitcoin [BTC] has already hit its lowest point.

In a recent note, analyst Gautam Chhugani and his team said Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by the end of the year. They argue the worst phase is behind the market and that a stable bottom has now been established.

What stands out is the timing. Even as the U.S.-Iran situation remains tense, Bitcoin has shown strength. While traditional safe assets like gold have fallen sharply, Bitcoin has stayed steady and is up around 8% since the conflict began.

Bernstein’s $150,000 Bitcoin call

Bernstein, as reported by Bloomberg, argues this isn’t just a short‐term reaction. They believe Bitcoin is now underpinned by strong institutional demand, making the current bearish phase one of the weakest in its history.

Whether the conflict improves or worsens, they believe Bitcoin is now on a path toward higher prices.

Chhugani reiterated,

We believe Bitcoin has found its trough and is now heading higher.

That said, Bitcoin’s drop, about 45% from its late 2025 highs, is being considered a big test of whether it can truly act as a “safe haven” asset.

High interest rates and ETF outflows have already hurt short-term confidence, but Bitcoin has still outperformed gold by about 25% since late February.

Even though some people still expect prices to fall further, strong institutional support is helping keep Bitcoin stable.

Do others agree with this prediction?

Drawing similar patterns from the past, one analyst pointed out,

BTC formed a huge dump pattern. Back in 2022, the same pattern led to 55% dump. We are going lower

This shows that similar setups in the past have led to strong rallies. As more money enters the system and currencies lose value, scarce assets like Bitcoin become more attractive.

Therefore, for many analysts, this isn’t a breakdown but a setup for the next big move, as noted by another analyst who said,

That’s not bearish. That’s the most bullish setup in finance.

Are market dynamics in favor?

Bernstein made this prediction while Bitcoin showed mixed short-term and long-term signals. On the price front, Bitcoin traded around $71,087, up 1.21% in the last 24 hours, at press time. This marked a relief rally after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause in U.S.-Iran tensions.

Additionally, Bitcoin dominance held near 59% at the time of writing, underscoring investors’ preference for it over other cryptocurrencies. Still, caution persists. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded about $66.6 million in outflows on the 24th of March, indicating that institutional investors are pulling back slightly.

At the same time, technical indicators were positive, but they still lack the strength to confirm a big breakout.

Source: TradingView

Where is Bitcoin heading?

This is also reflected in the liquidation heatmaps, which clearly show where major buy and sell positions sit.

Source: CoinGlass

In the short term (24-hour and 1-week views), strong buy orders between $71,000 and $73,000 are pulling prices upward and supporting the recent recovery. However, the longer-term (1- to 3-month) heatmaps reveal a heavy concentration of sell orders at higher levels.

This suggests short-term buyers are pushing prices up, but strong selling pressure still dominates the broader trend. Until Bitcoin breaks through this resistance, a sustained upward move may remain challenging.

Therefore, with money supply expanding and metals weakening, some view Bernstein’s $150,000 target for Bitcoin as achievable, though its certainty remains in question.


Final Summary

  • Bernstein’s bullish outlook highlights growing confidence, but the $150K target still depends on market conditions.
  • Price action reflects a market caught between optimism and caution, with neither bulls nor bears in full control.

Related Questions

QWhat is Bernstein's price target for Bitcoin by the end of the year and what is their reasoning?

ABernstein has a price target of $150,000 for Bitcoin by the end of the year. They argue that Bitcoin has already hit its lowest point, establishing a stable bottom, and is now underpinned by strong institutional demand, putting it on a path toward higher prices.

QHow has Bitcoin's performance compared to gold since the onset of recent geopolitical tensions?

ASince the U.S.-Iran conflict began, Bitcoin has shown strength, staying steady and gaining around 8%, while traditional safe-haven assets like gold have fallen sharply. Furthermore, Bitcoin has outperformed gold by about 25% since late February.

QWhat conflicting views do other analysts have regarding Bitcoin's price pattern?

AOther analysts have conflicting views. One pointed to a past pattern that led to a 55% price dump, suggesting 'we are going lower.' However, another analyst argued that the current setup is not bearish but is instead 'the most bullish setup in finance,' anticipating a strong rally.

QWhat does the liquidation heatmap data reveal about short-term and long-term market pressures?

AShort-term (24-hour and 1-week) heatmaps show strong buy orders between $71,000 and $73,000, supporting the recent price increase. However, longer-term (1- to 3-month) heatmaps reveal a heavy concentration of sell orders at higher levels, indicating that strong selling pressure still dominates the broader trend.

QWhat recent market activity indicates a slight pullback in institutional investor confidence?

ASpot Bitcoin ETFs recorded about $66.6 million in outflows on March 24th, indicating that institutional investors are pulling back slightly, which shows some caution persists despite the overall positive technical indicators.

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