Citi has expressed optimism about the trajectory of cryptocurrencies as they head into the new year, highlighting potential gains for both Bitcoin and Ether in a recent report. The global investment bank projects that Bitcoin may see a price target of $133,000 by the end of 2025, slightly adjusting its previous forecast of $135,000. In contrast, Ether is expected to rise to $4,500, up from an earlier estimate of $4,300.
The report presents a wide spectrum of possibilities for both cryptocurrencies. For Bitcoin, the upper end of Citi’s projections suggests that a strong rally in equity markets could drive the price as high as $156,000. Conversely, if recessionary conditions prevail, Bitcoin could drop to as low as $83,000. In the case of Ether, the bank’s optimistic scenario sees it potentially hitting $6,100, while the bearish outlook remains significantly lower.
As of the report’s publication, Bitcoin was trading around $119,550 and Ether was valued at approximately $4,407. Looking ahead to the following year, Citi projects a more ambitious target for Bitcoin, estimating it could reach $181,000, largely dependent on sustained capital inflows—especially through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Meanwhile, Ether is forecasted to climb to $5,400 within the same timeframe.
Citi’s analysis indicates that Bitcoin is uniquely positioned to attract new investments due to its established reputation as “digital gold” along with its larger market scale. Ether, on the other hand, stands to gain from staking opportunities and decentralized finance (DeFi) yields. The bank notes that favorable regulatory environments, particularly in the United States, could further bolster these cryptocurrencies. However, it also highlights potential macroeconomic risks, including the possibility of a recession, as a factor that could hinder the optimistic forecasts.
