Standard Chartered Projects Bitcoin Price Surge to $500,000 as Institutional and ETF Demand Rises
Standard Chartered Bank has reaffirmed its highly optimistic Bitcoin price forecast, projecting that BTC could reach $500,000 by 2029. The forecast is driven by increased institutional and sovereign wealth fund interest, especially through indirect exposure such as buying shares in companies with significant BTC holdings like MicroStrategy. Recent examples include France and Saudi Arabia acquiring MicroStrategy shares in 2025 and rising allocations by public funds in Norway, Switzerland, and South Korea. US pension funds in states like New York and California also hold indirect BTC exposure through such equities.
The more recent update highlights a surge in institutional demand for Bitcoin following recent U.S. SEC filings for spot Bitcoin ETFs. Standard Chartered analysts believe that these regulatory advancements and the imminent approval of new Bitcoin ETFs will bring further capital inflows, increasing investment and valuations. Experiences in other markets with similar ETF products support this Bullish trend.
As institutions increasingly seek both direct and alternative ways to gain Bitcoin exposure, especially with volatility dropping and access improving, Standard Chartered sees institutional adoption accelerating. The bank notes investors are drawn to indirect exposure to overcome concerns over volatility, regulatory issues, and custody. While some public funds are also investing in spot Bitcoin ETFs, market participation is expected to broaden as regulatory clarity improves.
Overall, Standard Chartered’s report concludes that continued institutional adoption, ETF approvals, and evolving investment strategies lay a solid foundation for Bitcoin’s long-term price appreciation, despite possible short-term price volatility as new capital enters the market.
Bullish
Standard Chartered’s report highlights robust institutional and sovereign wealth fund interest in Bitcoin, both directly and via indirect exposure to BTC-holding companies and spot Bitcoin ETFs. The imminent regulatory greenlighting of additional ETFs by the U.S. SEC and growing allocations from global public funds point to sustained capital inflows. Past evidence from other markets suggests strong ETF uptake lifts valuations. While short-term volatility may arise as large amounts of new capital enter the market, the consensus is that institutional adoption and new investment vehicles will create a long-term price appreciation trend for Bitcoin. For traders, this news signals a bullish outlook, with increasing demand and maturing regulatory frameworks setting the stage for higher BTC prices over the coming years.