Following a disappointing 2022, bitcoin resumed a quiet bull run in 2023, although this was overshadowed by the boom of generative artificial intelligence. Will bitcoin pass the litmus test this leap year?

Since starting 2024 at just under $45,000, Bitcoin has hit an all-time high of $73,737, according to Yahoo Finance, and as of publication time, remains at an enticing price of ~$66,000. This new milestone has reignited a crypto-fomo for enthusiasts, a zeal that seemed to be waning in the past few months. 

If you'd like to know the price prediction for Bitcoin in the coming days, months, or even years, this article is your best resource. To begin, however, you must have a firm grasp on the nature and operation of Bitcoin.

What is Bitcoin? 

Bitcoin is a digital currency based on a protocol created in 2009 by an expert (or group of them) with the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The main characteristic of cryptocurrency is its decentralisation: it is independent of any central bank or government since, unlike fiat currencies, bitcoin is not issued by the decision of any official entity.

Bitcoin is a decentralised monetary system where the users exert influence indirectly via the transactions they engage in.

In this way, the market itself—supply and demand—is what determines its exchange rate and, therefore, its price. Furthermore, the issuance is limited since the system only allows a maximum of 21 million bitcoins to be generated.

The lack of regulation and oversight by official bodies has made bitcoin attractive to some investors. However, these characteristics also contribute to its extremely volatile price. 

In fact, since its creation, there have been several occasions when its value has skyrocketed and then suffered sudden drops, for example, during the Cyprus financial crisis in 2013.

Due to its characteristics—durable, palpable, limited, and valuable in itself—gold has proven throughout history to be the safe haven valued par excellence. 

Investing in gold metal has always been synonymous with security and capital protection, hedging against inflation, especially in times of political and economic ups and downs.

Defenders of bitcoin have come to call it “digital gold” due to the fact that its issuance is limited and because its price reacts in the same sense as traditional safe haven values in times of geopolitical tensions. Even some Wall Street experts have opted for this comparison.

However, finance heavyweight Goldman Sachs was on the other side of the debate as it warned investors that cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are not the new gold. 

Its analysts assure that precious metals continue to be the best safe value and remind us that, despite its popularity, the average volatility of bitcoin has been seven times that of gold in 2017. 

In short, given the unstoppable pace of the cryptocurrency asset, there are experts who consider that there is currently a "bubble,"  while others believe that its value will continue to increase.

In any case, the truth is that its acceptance is advancing.

Factors influencing Bitcoin price

BTC fluctuates both positively and negatively based on various factors. We will now investigate the factors that influenced the early and current BTC price.

Factors that influenced early Bitcoin prices

One of the variables impacting Bitcoin's price is the rate of user adoption. When demand is high, the price of the currency goes up, and when demand is low, its value goes down.

The earliest phases of Bitcoin's price spike were driven by demand from investors and early members of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. With widespread adoption of Bitcoin by individuals, governments, institutional investors, and MNCs, its price is likely to soar to unprecedented heights in the years ahead.

Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin has a fixed amount of 21 million. The payout for Bitcoin mining will halve upon mining 210,000 blocks. Two halvings of the reward have occurred since its inception, from 50 BTC to 12.5 BTC. This happens, on average, once every four years.

The mining sector has also been greatly affected by the Bitcoin reward reduction. Following the first two halvings, the hash rate decreased, but it has since rebounded.

Bitcoin price fluctuation was caused by a small number of miners allegedly leaving the business in 2018 due to the declining mining payouts. On the other hand, Bitcoin seems to have gained greater acceptance recently. We saw a stabilisation of the t hash rate at the start of 2019, which is an optimistic sign for the market.

Factors influencing current BTC prices

When the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, the value of fiat currencies decreases, causing investment in the cryptocurrency market to decline. The Fed meeting is a volatile event that traders must mark on their calendars. 

Therefore, the Fed's interest rate hikes reduce the value of fiat currencies, affecting the cryptocurrency and stock markets. Investment in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies like Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu has also declined as investors seek safer and more rewarding alternatives.

Also, market players invest in new innovative products to build the Bitcoin market. For example, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offered by major financial institutions drove Bitcoin prices higher.

To cash in on the rising Bitcoin and cryptocurrency markets, a number of exchanges are broadening their services. During the Bitcoin halving event, the market’s incentives for Bitcoin decreased. 

Also, since the supply of bitcoins was cut in half in May 2020, their price has soared by approximately 3000%.

Looking at the trends, we can see that the price of bitcoin climbed by 8000% after the 2012 price halving and by 600% after the 2016 price halving. Halving mining incentives appears to have a material impact on Bitcoin’s price, doubling Bitcoin’s stock-to-flow ratio.

Because Bitcoin has slower transaction rates and higher transaction costs than other cryptos, some users sometimes parody it as a blockchain. User reactions to the Taproot upgrade's release have been varied, despite the fact that it fixes these problems and makes the Bitcoin blockchain more compatible with NFTs, DeFi, and smart contracts.

Taproot’s upgrade has long-term implications specific to HODL, as the network supports and handles several smart contracts, much like Ethereum.

Investors and traders also observed that the Taproot upgrade pushed the price of BTC above $65,000 in November 2021.

So, has Bitcoin reached its peak in 2024? Let's analyse the price prediction for crypto in the short term.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2024

The price of Bitcoin was positive in March since this leading cryptocurrency exceeded its all-time high of November 2021 on several occasions. BTC began the third month of the year trading at $61,269 and recorded its current all-time high of $73,737.

Much of Bitcoin's value in 2024 will revolve around the halving, which experts believe will fall around April 22.

The bitcoin halving occurs approximately every four years and reduces the rate at which new bitcoins are created by 50%. It reduces the supply of new bitcoins entering the market, which can lead to price appreciation.

This will result in a halving of the reward for mining a block, from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC.

So, the price of Bitcoin could be grouped into two stages: pre-halving and post-halving. 

Price of Bitcoin in 2024 pre-halving

In eleven years of records, the price of Bitcoin has only experienced four bearish Aprils. The last time Bitcoin closed in April in the red was in 2022, a few months after its previous ATH and at the beginning of the bear market. The year 2024 has been positive for Bitcoin as it accumulates seven consecutive months of profits. 

In addition, the United States CFTC reaffirmed its classification of Bitcoin as a commodity in the midst of its current lawsuit against KuCoin. 

With these factors in mind, various cryptocurrency analysts have taken to the social network X (formerly Twitter) to share their Bitcoin price predictions for the month of April 2024.

Bitcoin's price is still displaying a strong accumulation score as it consolidates around all-time highs, according to BeInCrypto's on-chain analyst and global head of news, Ali Martinez.

According to him, Bitcoin shows a head-and-shoulder formation in the 30-minute chart. He suggested that BTC maintains its position above the 200 EMA and breaks the neckline resistance at $71,580, which it did, we could anticipate a potential rise to 4.4%  with a price target of $74,760 in April. 

Alternatively, renowned trader and analyst Michaël van de Poppe does not rule out the possibility that the price of Bitcoin will reach an all-time high before halving.

According to him, Bitcoin is consolidating, so real movements are likely to start on April 2. If $67,000 holds, which it did, he suggests that it hits a final ATH test before the halving.

Our financial experts at Clacified have conclusively ascertained that historically, this event has coincided with significant increases in the price of Bitcoin.

Post-halving

After the first three halvings of bitcoin, the price of bitcoin has risen significantly. Industry insiders generally believe that this fourth halving will also drive up the price of Bitcoin. 

Generally speaking, major institutions have predicted Bitcoin's price after halving in 2024. The outlook is relatively optimistic, with a consensus price of US$80,000 to US$90,000, and some institutions even predict that Bitcoin may exceed US$100,000.

A growing number of experts are expressing optimism about the possibility of the most popular cryptocurrency reaching the impressive goal of $100,000 in 2024.

Among the most prominent enthusiasts are Robert Kiyosaki, the renowned author of the best-selling "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." 

In a recent interview, Kiyosaki suggested that Bitcoin could reach $100,000 and even much higher by June 2024, highlighting inflation as a key factor that could drive its price.

Also Mark Yusko, a well-known investor and CEO of Morgan Creek Capital, shared his opinion on the price of Bitcoin in a recent interview, noting that the cryptocurrency could surpass $100,000 in the coming months. 

Other renowned experts close to the cryptocurrency ecosystem also give their opinions through reports and social networks about their trends in these months.

For my part, I believe that the current market landscape indicates an environment conducive to continued price appreciation of Bitcoin, highlighted by its recent return to a $1 trillion market cap and its position among the top ten most valuable assets globally. 

Furthermore, the recent acquisition of more than 100,000 Bitcoins by BlackRock cannot be overlooked, which is a significant move that came following the approval of its Bitcoin spot ETF in January. This decision highlights the increasing demand from institutions and the asset's solidification as a stable store of wealth.

Despite the inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency market, historical analysis reveals the presence of price cycles characterised by sharp rises followed by corrections, which in turn lead to new all-time highs.

This suggests a continued growth pattern in 2024, supported by Bitcoin's growing maturity and increasing global adoption, which could help stabilise the bullish trend and reduce associated risks.

However, the regulatory framework remains a critical factor that could influence Bitcoin's valuation in the short term. Clarity and favorability of regulations are key to strengthening investor confidence and attracting new participants to the market. 

On the other hand, restrictive regulatory measures could have adverse consequences; therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant and attentive to any future regulatory developments while continuing to observe the market with expectations.

So what factors, aside from halving, can drive the Bitcoin price to new highs in 2024?

  1. Institutional adoption: The growing participation of institutions such as MicroStrategy, Tesla, PayPal, and even Microsoft in the cryptocurrency market is a significant factor that could drive its price. These institutional investments add legitimacy to Bitcoin and establish it as a solid investment asset. Add to that the recent acceptance of Bitcoin Spot ETFs, and more and more liquidity is entering the ecosystem. 
  2. Inflation: Rising global inflation could boost Bitcoin as a safe haven asset in terms of savings for investors looking to protect their investments from the depreciation of fiat currencies. The scarcity and decentralised nature of Bitcoin make it an attractive alternative to traditional currencies, and more and more people are deciding to have at least some part of their savings in crypto.

Ultimately, while the future of the Bitcoin price remains uncertain, optimistic predictions from experts, supported by factors such as institutional adoption, shrinking supply, EFTs, and rising inflation, suggest that 2024 could be a significant year for its growth. 

Experts at Clacified believe that in 2024, halving will be crucial for the price of the leading cryptocurrency, so much so that we anticipate a new ATH of $82,000 for this year. 

We also dare to say that BTC will retrace just before the halving and then resume its long-term upward trend.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2025

Experts at Clacified believe 2025 could be the year that the bull market loses steam; however, it could still be experiencing an uptrend. In this case, traders may still expect a slight pullback in the bull market, mainly caused by buyers' heavy entry. Ultimately, 2025 may push the Bitcoin price upward and reach the $94,000 level as buyers speculate on a slight increase this year.

Peter Brandt, an American trader with more than 50 years of experience in finance, disagrees with this and remains very enthusiastic about the current momentum of Bitcoin and what is to come.

The expert did his own analysis and detailed that Bitcoin surpassed its 15-month ascending channel, so now the target for the current bull market cycle, scheduled to end in August–September 2025, is rising from 120,000 to 200,000 USD.

Brandt doesn't share this opinion alone, as Standard Chartered has since January predicted that Bitcoin will strike the $200,000 mark in 2025.

Bitcoin price prediction for the long-term (2026-2050)

A round gold-colored Bitcoin coin beside a shard of gold

We have tallied the price projections of various institutions following the fourth halving of Bitcoin, and they are as follows:

From the overall analysis, 47% of institutions believe that the current price of Bitcoin is undervalued, only 10% of institutions believe that the price is too high, and $87,000 is the average consensus among all parties' predictions. Ark Investment is the most bullish organisation, predicting that Bitcoin's price would reach $600,000 by 2030.

Many reputable organisations are certain that Bitcoin will succeed. In the aftermath of the halving, the value of Bitcoin will relentlessly climb, aiming for stability amidst swings.

The theory that Bitcoin is undervalued is rampant, and bulls have the absolute upper hand. Fluctuations inevitably lead to falsehoods, and Bitcoin is proving its growth resilience in the bull market. According to these institutions, Bitcoin will bear fruit everywhere, and its value will skyrocket in the long term. 

Here are some numbers about the specific ranges of predictions made by several organisations:

  • Bloomberg: $100,000 by 2026
  • ARK Invest: USD 60–1.5 million by 2030
  • Morgan Stanley: I am unsure of the specific price, but it is expected that Bitcoin will usher in a new bull market after the fourth halving.

It is worth noting that Ark Investment’s predictions have always been optimistic. At the beginning of last year, they predicted that Bitcoin would reach US$200,000–500,000 due to the inflow of institutional funds. Now this prediction has doubled. 

Bitcoin price prediction for 2026

Experts at Clacified expect that after a prolonged bull run, bears will take over and start having a negative impact on the cryptocurrency. Amid this bearish sentiment, BTC may fall towards its support zone. 

Even if Bitcoin is still in oversold territory, a fall in price is on the horizon. By the end of 2026, after a price adjustment, Bitcoin will be trading over the $87,000 barrier mark.

Bitcoin price predictions for 2027

The cryptocurrency market will be entering a modest bull market in 2027 after a protracted bear market. Trading optimism will also be highly tied to the impending Bitcoin halving event of 2028.

As a result, many traders will likely jump on the pre-halving action in 2027 in anticipation of the next bull market! By the year's end in 2027, Bitcoin will be worth $93,000.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2028

The cryptocurrency community will be once again looking forward to this year, as Bitcoin will have its halving. 

The Bitcoin price, like that of many altcoins, is likely to keep rising. Therefore, after a substantial spike towards the end of 2028, BTC will trade at $145,600.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2029

As a result of the ripple effects from the BTC halving, experts predict that 2029 will see another bull run. However, analysts at Clacified speculate that the cryptocurrency market will gradually stabilise by this year. 

Coupled with stabilising market sentiment and an expected slight price spike in the aftermath, BTC could be trading at $155,342 by the end of 2029.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2030

After a market surge, Bitcoin and several altcoins will likely exhibit consolidation, trading sideways for a while before seeing a minor bounce. Thus, Bitcoin's value may reach $150,997 by 2030's conclusion.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2040

Long-term predictions for BTC suggest that this coin may reach all-time highs (ATH). This will be one of the key moments, as hodlers may sell some of their tokens at ATH points. 

However, BTC may face a slight decline before starting its upward move again. Clacified experts predict that by 2040, the average price of BTC will reach $472,904.

Bitcoin price prediction for 2050

Cryptocurrencies are expected to become a major market player by 2050 as they are recognised as a worldwide asset. With the increasing number of traders and investors who are hoping for favourable market circumstances, Bitcoin (BTC) might see a bull run and set new records this decade.

Hence, we anticipate that by 2050, Bitcoin will have surpassed all anticipated resistance levels and reached new heights of $864,562.

Conclusion

It is quite astounding to see how Bitcoin has gone from its turbulent infancy to its present unparalleled success, with the crypto showing again and again that it can overcome doubt and difficulty to become a dominant force in the financial sector.

Going into 2024 and beyond, Bitcoin's prospects are good for a number of reasons, including institutional adoption, scarcity, inflation hedging, and technical improvements. Since many predict that Bitcoin's price will surge—perhaps even approach $100,000—the next halving event in April 2024 is crucial.

Looking forward, forecasts show that Bitcoin will keep climbing; in fact, by 2050, some estimate that it will have surpassed $800,000 in value. 

These optimistic forecasts are being bolstered by the growing number of individuals who see cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset class.

However, crypto's inherent volatility and lack of clarity around regulations make it a risky investment. Even if people are generally optimistic, they need nevertheless be careful and watchful so that they can make good judgments and use effective risk management strategies.

To summarise, Bitcoin's evolution and continued relevance can be seen throughout its history. Bitcoin never ceases to amaze investors and admirers, whether it's navigating market fluctuations or achieving new price milestones. 

What this means is that digital assets will play an increasingly important role in the future of the global economy. 

All in all, if investors continue to show interest in BTC and add these coins to their portfolios, it will likely continue to rise. 

Bullish price predictions for BTC suggest that it may break the $70,000 level in 2024. Furthermore, BTC may surpass the $864,562 threshold by the end of 2050.