Bitcoin's Long-Term Price Trajectory Continues to Spark Debate

Bitcoin's long-term price trajectory continues to spark debate, with Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick predicting that BTC could reach $500,000 by 2028

Standard Chartered predicts that Bitcoin (BTC) could reach $500,000 by 2028, thanks to improving investor access and gradually declining market volatility.

The recent approval of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States is a significant step in expanding investor access and paving the way for greater institutional participation, according to Geoff Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s head of digital assets.

Under the Trump administration, further improvements to Bitcoin investment accessibility have already begun, accelerating adoption at a structural level, he noted in an email to CoinDesk on Monday.

According to Standard Chartered’s latest projection, Bitcoin’s price could follow this path over the next few years:

Bitcoin ETFs, maturing markets could reduce volatility

One key factor in Bitcoin’s long-term rise will be the maturation of the Bitcoin ETF market and the development of more robust financial infrastructure supporting BTC trading.

As Bitcoin ETFs attract more institutional capital, market liquidity will improve, helping to gradually reduce volatility, Kendrick argues. Lower volatility, in turn, would make Bitcoin even more attractive to large investors and corporations, further fueling adoption and price appreciation.

“This feedback loop of rising prices attracting more capital, which in turn reduces volatility and makes the asset class more attractive to even larger investors, should help propel Bitcoin prices several multiples higher over our coverage period,” the Standard Chartered strategist said.

Others see BTC at $1M even sooner

While Standard Chartered is forecasting $500,000 BTC by 2028, other analysts believe Bitcoin could reach $1 million even earlier.

Recent research suggests that Bitcoin could hit $1 million as early as 2027. A study published by the Journal of Risk and Financial Management outlines how increasing institutional demand, supply constraints from the halving cycle and declining fiat currency value could drive BTC to seven figures within the next three years.

This aligns with Anthony Pompliano’s latest Bitcoin prediction, where he reaffirmed his ultra-bullish stance, stating that Bitcoin is on track for $1 million and beyond.

CoinCodex’s more conservative outlook

While Standard Chartered and other analysts are calling for BTC to reach half a million dollars by 2028, our own CoinCodex projection is more conservative.

We estimate that Bitcoin will surpass $300,000 by 2029, with a more measured pace of adoption and capital inflows compared to the aggressive timelines set by some institutions.