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Bitcoin (BTC) could surge in 2026, according to Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s head of digital asset research.
The veteran analyst, known for his long-term bullish stance, reaffirmed that Bitcoin remains a strong buy despite cutting his longer-term target.
Kendrick thinks Bitcoin is still a buy and has the potential to surge as much as 55% this year alone.
In December 2025, Kendrick halved his 2026 price forecast from $300,000 to $150,000 per coin.
Related: 170-year-old bank slashes Bitcoin price prediction by half
Digital asset treasuries (DAT) became one of the most talked about trends in crypto over, especially after Michael Saylor’s Strategy began using its balance sheet to accumulate BTC in 2020.
The firm later raised billions through bond offerings to expand its holdings, a move that inspired other firms to follow suit.
However, Kendrick thinks DATs are no longer the it-thing of crypto, as Motley Fool reported.
"Specifically, we think buying by Bitcoin digital asset treasury companies (DATs) is likely over, as valuations ... no longer support further Bitcoin DAT expansion. We expect a consolidation rather than outright selling, but DAT buying is unlikely to provide further support," he noted.
Kendrick, however, remains optimistic about further gains driven by spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
He argued that these products lower the barriers for institutional participation in crypto, a trend likely to accelerate under the Trump administration, which has backed several pro-crypto laws and executive orders aimed at easing regulatory uncertainty for investors.
In fact, on Jan. 13, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs logged $753.73 million single-day inflow, their largest in three months.
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Bitcoin began 2025 strong, touching $102,000 in early January as Donald Trump assumed the presidency.
The asset then fluctuated between $98,000 and $104,000 before sliding to $76,000 by April. A gradual recovery followed, peaking near $126,000 in October before a flash crash erased double-digit gains.
By year-end, Bitcoin hovered between $86,000 and $94,000, below even the most cautious forecasts.
In 2026, Bitcoin’s recovery has continued, reaching $97,538 on Jan. 15 before easing.
At press time, it was down 2.1% to $93,216 amid Trump’s renewed tariff threats, this time aimed at European allies over what he called the “Greenland deal.”
Related: Analyst offers fix to Trump’s $5.7B Greenland gambit
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Trading News & Analysis section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
