Bitcoin Could Hit $181,000 in 12 Months, Says Citigroup

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Citigroup BTC and ETH price forecasts

Global banking giant Citigroup has updated its cryptocurrency price forecasts, unveiling revised targets for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as market conditions continue to evolve.

Bitcoin Forecast: Cautious Optimism with Downside Risks

Citigroup now expects Bitcoin to reach $133,000 by the end of 2025, representing a 12% increase from its current level of around $118,700.

The bank also set a 12-month target of $181,000. However, it warned that in a bearish recession scenario, BTC could fall as low as $83,000.

While the long-term adoption story for Bitcoin remains intact, analysts noted that BTC is currently trading above adoption model estimates. Short-term headwinds, including a stronger US dollar and weak gold prices—were cited as reasons for trimming its previous forecast.

Ethereum Forecast: Stronger Institutional Confidence

In contrast, Citigroup gave Ethereum a bullish upgrade, projecting ETH at $4,500 by the end of 2025 and as high as $5,440 within the next 12 months.

In an optimistic scenario, ETH could surge to $6,400, while a bearish outlook suggests a potential drop to $2,200.

Analysts credited Ethereum’s revised forecast to:

  • Rising institutional inflows
  • Its appeal as a yield-generating asset
  • Structural advantages in staking and decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure

Key Market Concerns of BTC and ETH

Despite optimism, Citi highlighted concerns about Ethereum’s reliance on Layer-2 scaling solutions to ease mainnet congestion. While Layer-2 growth supports ecosystem expansion, it does not always directly increase ETH’s intrinsic value, the bank cautioned.

Citigroup concluded that both Bitcoin and Ethereum remain central to institutional portfolios, but the outlook underscores growing divergence between the two leading cryptocurrencies. On the other hand, our analysts provide their Bitcoin price prediction and Ethereum price prediction today. Make sure to check it out.

 

By Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson is a seasoned crypto journalist and analyst with a sharp eye for emerging trends in blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 innovation. With a background in tech writing and years of experience tracking digital assets, Patrick breaks down complex topics into clear, actionable insights for investors, builders, and curious readers alike. His work spans market analysis, crypto regulation, decentralized finance ecosystems, and interviews with founders shaping the next phase of the internet. Patrick's writing has appeared in leading crypto publications and has earned a reputation for depth, clarity, and a no-hype approach to crypto journalism. When he’s not decoding the latest protocol upgrade or reporting on DAO governance shifts, you’ll find him experimenting with smart contracts or hiking off-grid, because even crypto authors need to unplug sometimes.