Reports have disclosed that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse told a Binance-hosted panel he expects Bitcoin to reach $180,000 by December 31, 2026.

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Bank Moves Could Be The Spark

According to market coverage, Bitcoin tumbled about $5,000 in roughly three hours during early December, wiping more than $200 billion from the broader crypto market and triggering nearly $700 million in liquidations. That sudden drop has been linked to moves in traditional markets, not a single crypto event.

Some analysts point to a change in Japan’s bond market that is pressuring the long-running yen carry trade. Reports say the Bank of Japan’s policy path is now in focus, with a key decision due in mid-December that could move global risk appetite and the yen.

Whales Bought While Prices Fell

On-chain trackers show large investors added to holdings during the drop. According to on-chain data aggregators, accumulator addresses picked up about 375,000 BTC over recent weeks. That figure, if measured the way those firms define “whales,” suggests big players were buying into weakness.

Miners Also Cut Back Sales

Based on market commentary, miner selling has slowed sharply. One widely cited dataset shows miner outflows fell from roughly 23,000 BTC per month to about 3,672 BTC in the most recent window. That drop in miner supply was flagged as a possible tailwind for price if it persists.

ETF Money Flows And Model Targets

Reports have also tracked ETF movements, noting several billion dollars left Bitcoin ETFs in November, and that flows remain a key short-term force for price direction. Meanwhile, major banks have published valuation work that places fair-value scenarios well above current levels — for example, JPMorgan analysts have argued a model-based target near $170,000 under certain assumptions.

How Realistic Is A $180,000 Outcome?

Putting these pieces together, hitting $180,000 by the end of 2026 is possible in a bullish scenario where institutional demand resumes, whale buying continues, miner selling stays low, and central-bank moves help risk appetite.

But it would require sizeable, sustained inflows and a benign macro backdrop across many months — not just a one-off rally. Garlinghouse remains optimistic about his forecast.

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Signals To Watch Next

Bank of Japan guidance in mid-December could influence Bitcoin’s next move. Daily ETF flows and open interest have shown significant shifts recently. On-chain data indicates that accumulators added around 375,000 BTC while miner selling dropped sharply. These figures, if confirmed by the original data sources, may play a major role in shaping near-term price action.

Garlinghouse’s $180,000 call is a high-profile, optimistic view that matches other bullish models on the market. Reports show real volatility and major flows are already shaping price. For now, the forecast is an opinion rooted in plausible scenarios — one to watch, not a certainty.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin’s price action this month has left traders watching closely as big players double down on bullish calls. According to VanEck’s research, the investment firm has reaffirmed a $180,000 year-end target even after Bitcoin slid from a recent high, a sign that some institutional buyers are not backing away despite a pullback.

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Institutional Buying Remains Heavy

Reports have disclosed heavy accumulation in July. Exchange-traded products bought 54,000 BTC while Digital Asset Treasuries added 72,000 BTC, giving clear evidence that large holders continue to pile in.

VanEck first laid out its bullish view in November 2024 when Bitcoin traded around $88,000. At the same time, US-listed miners now account for 31% of global Bitcoin hashrate, up from roughly 30% earlier this year, even as equity index fell 4% when excluding Applied Digital’s 50% jump.

Price Moves Show Volatility And Quick Recovery

Bitcoin slid to $112,000 in early August before jumping back to $124,000 on August 13. That move set a new all-time high above July’s $123,838.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades close to $115K, roughly 8% below that recent peak. Traders describe the pullback as a repositioning after a run-up, not an obvious breakdown.

Source: VanEck

Derivatives metrics back the picture of rising speculative interest. CME basis funding rates have surged to 10%, the highest level since February 2025.

Options markets show call/put ratios hitting 3.21x, the strongest since June 2024, with investors spending $792 million on call premiums.

Yet implied volatility has compressed to 32%, well under the one-year average of 50%, which makes options cheaper for buyers.

On the other hand, futures open interest sits over $6 billion, though a $2.3 billion unwind in open interest during recent corrections ranks among the larger single-session moves.

Source: VanEck

Voices Split On How High Bitcoin Could Go

Executives and analysts disagree on the pace and peak of the rally. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong joined figures such as Jack Dorsey and Cathie Wood in suggesting Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2030, citing clearer rules and wider institutional adoption.

Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz warned that a million-dollar level would more likely reflect severe US economic stress than normal market strength.

Preston Pysh flagged concerns about how Wall Street’s growing role might change Bitcoin’s use and culture.

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Support Levels And Technical

Technically, many market watchers view the $100,000-$110,000 range as key support. A decisive break below $112,000 could push prices toward $110,000 and, in a deeper move, $105,000.

For now, the story is mixed. Institutional demand and speculative derivatives flows are pushing price pressure higher, while cheap options and compressed volatility make bullish bets less costly.

Whether that combination lifts Bitcoin to VanEck’s $180,000 target will depend on continued inflows and whether key support holds.

Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView

VanEck Chief Matthew Sigel recently shared a bullish outlook on Bitcoin. He indicated that Bitcoin’s ongoing rally is just the beginning, with his firm setting a price target of $180,000 for the next cycle. Sigel cited several key drivers supporting the rally, including increased institutional interest, favorable shifts in government, and historical patterns in BTC post-election performance.

VanEck Chief Sees Bitcoin Price to $180K as Rally “Just Getting Started”

During the CNBC interview, VanEck Chief Matthew Sigel expressed confidence that Bitcoin’s rally is only beginning, expecting the cryptocurrency to reach $180,000 within this market cycle. Sigel pointed to several crucial factors driving this growth, starting with increased institutional investment in Bitcoin. 

According to him, interest from financial advisors is rising, with many looking to expand their Bitcoin exposure. Sigel mentioned that his team has been receiving a surge of calls from advisors who initially held little to no Bitcoin but are now aiming to increase their allocations significantly.

In addition, the VanEck Chief also identified favorable crypto regulatory changes in the U.S. as a critical factor in Bitcoin’s potential. He noted that pro-Bitcoin officials in the government, including key appointees in the new administration, signal a policy shift supportive of cryptocurrency. 

Sigel emphasized,

 “This is a state change in terms of government support. Look at this cabinet, the VP Attorney General, Director of Defense, National Security Advisor, and possibly even the Secretary of Treasury being pro-Bitcoin.”

In addition, Sigel suggested that the departure of SEC Chair Gary Gensler could further reduce regulatory pressures on digital assets. He believes this shift would end the “regulation by enforcement” era, creating a more favorable environment for Bitcoin and other crypto projects to thrive in the U.S.

The resignation of the SEC Chair has become a hot topic, with several pro-crypto candidates in the spotlight. Leading contenders who will replace Gary Gensler include Robinhood’s CLO Dan Gallagher, SEC Commissioners Mark Uyeda, and Hester Pierce.

Historical Patterns and Post-Election Performance 

Reflecting on past performance, VanEck Chief Sigel highlighted Bitcoin’s historical post-election pattern, where the cryptocurrency has previously experienced gains. He compared the current rally to the period following the 2020 election, noting that Bitcoin doubled in price between November and early 2021. 

Sigel also mentioned that multiple indicators tracked by VanEck are currently “flashing green” for Bitcoin, suggesting continued upward momentum. These indicators include reduced search interest relative to previous peaks, suggesting that the market has yet to reach speculative highs, as well as robust trading activity within the derivative markets. He noted that these elements reflect sustained interest in Bitcoin without excessive speculation.

Bitcoin Price Action Amid Bullish Indicators

VanEck Chief Matthew Sigel expects Bitcoin to reach a high of $180,000 in this cycle. On November 13, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $93,477, gaining approximately 30% in November and 115% year-to-date. 

Sigel pointed to Bitcoin’s current trading position above previous resistance levels, which has put it into “blue sky territory,” where no technical barriers are in sight. He suggested that Bitcoin price may encounter periodic corrections, similar to previous cycles, but anticipates that these will only temporarily affect its upward trajectory.

According to recent BTC price predictions, Bitcoin is positioned for a potential rally beyond the $100,000 mark, supported by miner activity and technical indicators. Analysts highlight that Bitcoin’s bullish breakout from a flag pattern formation suggests sustained upward momentum, while the 20- and 50-day EMAs provide immediate support levels.

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Ronny Mugendi

Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience, having contributed significantly to various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. With over 4000 published articles across various media outlets, he aims to inform, educate and introduce more people to the Blockchain and DeFi world. Outside of his journalism career, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.