Tom Lee Softens $250K Bitcoin Call — Year‑End New High Now Only ’Possible’

Tom Lee, chair of BitMine, has publicly softened his high‑profile Bitcoin (BTC) forecast of $250,000 for the end of 2025. In a recent CNBC interview he said BTC could still surpass $100,000 and “perhaps” set a new all‑time high before year‑end, but he no longer insists on the $250K target. Lee reiterated his view that Bitcoin’s largest gains are typically concentrated in a small number of trading days each year—historically around 10 days—making timing important for traders. The reporting notes Lee’s mixed forecasting record, citing past hits and misses, and places his comments in market context: BTC fell after a series of large liquidations and macro shocks in October, has trended lower since Oct. 10, but recently reclaimed the $90,000 level after six days below it. Other industry voices (including Mike Novogratz and analysts cited by Bitwise) express skepticism that $250K is likely without extreme tail events. Key data points for traders: Lee’s prior $250K target and his current emphasis on >$100K (with >$125K only a “maybe”), BTC trading near ~$90K at reporting, historical pattern of most returns coming from roughly 10 sessions per year, and 35 days remaining in 2025. Trading takeaway: Lee’s moderation weakens an extreme bullish narrative but keeps significant upside possible; traders should consider event‑driven strategies and be mindful that a few high‑impact days often drive annual returns.