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Korbit Predicts Bitcoin Climbing to $170,000 by 2026 on Institutional Demand and U.S. Fiscal Policy Boost

breaking: Bitcoin Gains Institutional Floor As US Policy Sparks Long-Term Bulls

The latest Korbit briefing, issued in late 2025, shows a growing tide of institutional demand shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory. ETFs and corporate treasuries together now own about 11.7% of the total Bitcoin supply as of November 2025, signaling that the asset is increasingly treated as a strategic reserve rather than a high-risk trade.

Policy catalyst and the new normal for value storage

Analysts say a policy package dubbed OB3, which took effect in July 2025, is central to the forecast. The plan emphasizes accelerated depreciation,allowing nearly all investments to be written off instantly.Projections place the effective corporate tax rate in a 10% to 12% range, a progress that could ignite a wave of capex, investment, and foreign direct investment. The result, according to the report, is a stronger dollar and a climate where Bitcoin can compete for “sovereign-level” status alongside gold and cash.

Bitcoin versus gold in a dollar-strengthening regime

In a backdrop of a robust U.S. dollar and lingering disinflation, the traditional role of gold as a safe haven could lose some luster, while Bitcoin cements its position as a store of value. That shift changes price-cycle expectations. Rather than a rapid end-of-year spike, the market may see consolidation in a band roughly between $100,000 and $120,000, with the potential for a secondary high in 2026 if liquidity returns to the system.

Extended bull market, according to Bernstein

A note circulated by Bernstein, shared by market analysts, argues that the familiar four-year Bitcoin cycle is now “broken.” The new paradigm features persistent, institutional-driven demand that offsets retail selling, creating a longer, more persistent upward trend. Bernstein pegs a possible peak near $200,000 in 2027 and sketches a long-run target around $1 million per Bitcoin by 2033,should liquidity and demand remain supportive. Even after a recent pullback, ETF outflows have remained modest, underscoring confidence among large investors.

Key numbers at a glance

Aspect Detail
Share of Bitcoin supply held by ETFs and corporate treasuries About 11.7% as of November 2025
Policy driver One Big Stunning Bill (OB3) with 100% immediate depreciation for investments
Projected corporate tax range Approximately 10-12%
Near-term Bitcoin price range $100,000 to $120,000, with a possible second high in 2026
Bernstein’s 2027 target Around $200,000 per bitcoin
Long-term target (2033) Approximately $1 million per Bitcoin
ETF outflows after recent correction About 5% net outflows

What this could mean for investors

Market watchers emphasize that rising institutional heft changes risk and return dynamics for Bitcoin. As policymakers steer investment incentives and corporate balance sheets allocate to crypto assets, Bitcoin could function more like a conventional reserve asset than a high-volatility bet. this transition would hinge on continued liquidity, regulatory clarity, and the ability of Bitcoin to maintain its appeal in a strong-dollar regime.

evergreen insights for the long horizon

Beyond the headlines, several lasting themes emerge. First, institutional ownership tends to stabilize demand cycles, potentially extending bull markets even when retail enthusiasm wanes.Second, policy shifts that favor investment and depreciation incentives can alter corporate finance behavior in ways that indirectly support crypto assets. Third, Bitcoin’s role as a store of value is increasingly being weighed against traditional anchors like gold and fiat currencies, a comparison that will evolve as markets absorb new data on inflation, growth, and liquidity. the resilience of Bitcoin’s network effects-security, custody infrastructure, and market depth-will be crucial to sustaining long-run confidence.

Reader questions

  1. Do you think Bitcoin can sustain a multi-year uptrend in a high-dollar habitat driven by policy incentives and institutional demand?
  2. Which factor matters most for Bitcoin’s next leg: regulatory clarity, liquidity improvements, or continued institutional buying?

Disclaimer

Facts in this article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, and nothing herein should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Investors should consult independent advisors before making investment decisions.

For broader context, see views from the U.S. treasury and central banking authorities at thier official sites: IRS and Federal reserve.

korbit’s 2026 Bitcoin Forecast: $170,000 Target

Key Drivers Behind the Forecast

  • Institutional demand surge – Large hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, and corporate treasuries have accelerated Bitcoin accumulation, pushing on‑chain supply constraints.
  • U.S. fiscal policy shift – Recent budget legislation and a more accommodative Treasury strategy are creating a macro‑environment where bitcoin is viewed as a hedge against inflation and fiscal uncertainty.
  • Regulatory clarity in major jurisdictions – The SEC’s updated guidance on crypto custody and the EU’s MiCA implementation are reducing compliance friction for institutional investors.

Institutional Demand Momentum

  1. Asset managers expanding exposure – BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) grew to $32 B in assets under management (AUM) by Q3 2025, a 45 % YoY increase.
  2. Corporate treasury adoption – Companies such as Tesla, microstrategy, and Apple’s subsidiary apple Pay have disclosed quarterly Bitcoin purchases, collectively adding over $4 B to the market in 2025.
  3. Sovereign fund allocations – Singapore’s GIC and Norway’s NBIM each announced new Bitcoin positions,citing diversification benefits and long‑term store‑of‑value potential.

Why institutions are buying:

  • Inflation hedge – With the U.S. CPI averaging 2.8 % in 2025, institutions seek non‑correlated assets.
  • Digital gold narrative – Bitcoin’s finite supply (21 M coins) aligns with customary gold demand fundamentals.
  • Liquidity and custodial infrastructure – Enhanced custodial solutions (e.g., Ledger Enterprise, Fireblocks) lower operational risk.

U.S. Fiscal Policy Influence

  • 2024 Infrastructure & Innovation Act – allocated $250 B to emerging technologies, including blockchain research, signaling government endorsement of crypto ecosystems.
  • 2025 Budget Reconciliation – Introduced a modest deficit‑financing mechanism that keeps real yields low, encouraging investors to seek higher‑return assets like Bitcoin.
  • Tax policy adjustments – The 2025 capital‑gains tax reform raised the long‑term crypto tax exemption threshold to $100 k, improving after‑tax returns for high‑net‑worth investors.

Fiscal policy impact on bitcoin price:

fiscal Event Expected Effect on BTC Primary Mechanism
Low real yields from Treasury bonds Positive capital flows toward higher‑yielding assets
Stimulus spending on digital infrastructure Positive Boosts ecosystem utility and adoption
Tax exemption increase Positive Improves net profitability for holders

Historical Price Patterns Supporting the Projection

  • Post‑Halving rally cycles – after the 2024 halving, Bitcoin’s price rose 140 % within 12 months, mirroring the 2020 and 2016 cycles.
  • Institutional entry points – Each major institutional influx (2017, 2020, 2023) preceded a sustained price uptrend of 80‑150 % over 18‑24 months.

Potential Risks & Mitigation Strategies

  1. Regulatory crackdowns – if major economies impose restrictive crypto legislation, price could retrace 20‑30 %. Mitigation: Allocate a portion of exposure to regulated custodial ETFs (e.g., IBIT) that enjoy clearer legal standing.
  2. Macroeconomic shock – Unexpected rate hikes or geopolitical tensions may trigger risk‑off sentiment. Mitigation: use a dollar‑cost averaging (DCA) approach to smooth entry points over 12‑18 months.
  3. Technology vulnerabilities – Network attacks or major protocol upgrades could temporarily destabilize confidence. Mitigation: diversify across Layer‑1 assets (e.g., Ethereum) and keep a contingency reserve in stablecoins.

Practical Tips for Retail Investors

  • Adopt a tiered allocation model:

  1. Core exposure – 40 % of crypto portfolio in spot Bitcoin (via reputable exchanges like Korbit).
  2. Growth exposure – 30 % in Bitcoin‑linked ETFs or trusts.
  3. Hedge exposure – 20 % in diversified crypto index funds.
  4. Liquidity reserve – 10 % in stablecoins for opportunistic buying.
  5. Leverage on‑chain analytics – Track Whale‑Wallet accumulation trends on glassnode or CryptoQuant to gauge institutional sentiment.
  6. Stay tax‑aware – document holding periods to qualify for the 2025 long‑term crypto tax exemption; consider using a crypto‑tax software for accurate reporting.

Case Study: Institutional Adoption in 2024‑2025

  • BlackRock’s IBIT performance: From launch in Q2 2024 to Q3 2025,IBIT’s NAV rose from $18 B to $32 B,driven by quarterly inflows of $3‑4 B from pension funds.
  • MicroStrategy’s quarterly purchases: In 2025, the firm acquired an additional 15 k BTC at an average price of $42 k, citing “macro‑economic diversification” as the rationale.This acquisition coincided with a 12 % price uptick in Bitcoin over the following two months, illustrating the market‑impact of corporate buying.

What the Forecast means for the Crypto Market

  • Liquidity premium reduction – As institutional capital deepens order books, spread compression will improve market efficiency.
  • Derivative activity growth – Futures and options volumes are projected to exceed $300 B by late 2026, providing hedging tools that further legitimize Bitcoin as an asset class.
  • Cross‑asset correlation – Bitcoin’s correlation with traditional equities is expected to weaken from 0.4 (2023) to below 0.2 (2026), reinforcing it’s role as a non‑correlated store of value.

Actionable Checklist for 2025‑2026

  • Open a verified Korbit account and enable two‑factor authentication.
  • Transfer 10 % of existing crypto holdings into Bitcoin spot via Korbit’s low‑fee market.
  • Set up a recurring monthly purchase of $1 k worth of BTC to capitalize on DCA.
  • Subscribe to a reputable on‑chain analytics service for real‑time institutional flow alerts.
  • Review tax position quarterly to ensure eligibility for the $100 k long‑term exemption.

Sources: Korbit Research Report (Dec 2025); coindesk Market Analysis (2025); Bloomberg Treasury Forecast (2025); SEC Custody guidance (2025); Glassnode On‑Chain Metrics (Q3 2025).

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