That's why it helps to understand what analysts look at when the chart isn't explaining why the market is moving or where it may move next. The focus shifts to factors that can quietly reshape Bitcoin's demand, liquidity and long-term narrative: Who's buying through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), how "Bitcoin treasury" stocks are treated by indexes, whether miners are earning enough to secure the network, what scaling actually looks like today and how regulation is shaping mainstream access.
As Bitcoin enters 2026 with sustained institutional adoption and price stability following the 2024-2025 bull run, self-custody remains a cornerstone of the asset's sovereignty promise. Yet the landscape has evolved significantly. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have unlocked access to passive investors comfortable with Wall Street's "trust me, bro" brokerage models, while physical attacks on crypto users have surged to record levels, known as "wrench attacks".
The new projection stems from institutional Bitcoin ( ) buying being slower than expected. Capital is arriving through Bitcoin ETF inflows but on measured allocation after the initial surge. The revised Standard Chartered Bitcoin prediction marks a change in tempo rather than direction-the bank's long-term Bitcoin $500K target remains but has been pushed to 2030, reflecting institutional reality rather than weakening conviction.
Bank of America is urging its wealth management clients to consider placing a small but deliberate slice of their portfolios into digital assets. The bank now recommends a 1% to 4% crypto allocation, marking a significant shift in how one of the country's largest financial institutions approaches Bitcoin exposure. The guidance applies across Merrill, Bank of America Private Bank, and Merrill Edge, according to a Yahoo Finance report.
