Bitcoin could reach fresh all-time highs this year amid continuing institutional investment infrastructure, predicts the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organisations.

The forecast from deVere Group’s Nigel Green comes as Bitcoin trades sharply below its October 2025 peak of more than $126,000, having fallen back toward the mid-$60,000 range in recent weeks, triggering one of the most negative waves of sentiment since 2022.

Despite the scale of the pullback and persistent ETF outflows dominating headlines, Nigel Green argues that the foundations supporting the digital asset are stronger than in any previous cycle.

“Price has corrected aggressively, but the underlying framework around Bitcoin has not fractured,” he says.

“In previous downturns, infrastructure failed alongside valuations. Major intermediaries collapsed and confidence evaporated. This time, regulated products are functioning, custodians remain operational, and institutional access continues to expand.”

Since the launch of US spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, cumulative inflows have reached tens of billions of dollars. Although recent weeks have seen redemptions, Nigel Green stresses that the proportion withdrawn represents a fraction of total net inflows since inception.

“The focus on short-term ETF outflows ignores the broader picture,” he explains. “The institutional allocation base that entered the market over the last two years has not disappeared.”

On-chain metrics show that a substantial share of circulating Bitcoin remains in the hands of long-term holders.

At the same time, exchange balances have trended lower over the past year, reducing the amount of readily tradable supply.

“Supply is  tightening,” notes the deVere CEO.

“When sentiment shifts, price movement can accelerate because there’s less liquidity available to absorb renewed demand.”

He believes current bearish positioning reflects a confidence gap rather than structural weakness.

“Almost half of outstanding coins are below their holders’ cost basis at current levels. Options markets are pricing in downside protection. Fear is elevated,” he notes.

“Yet there’s been no systemic event comparable to 2022 when FTX dramatically collapsed. The architecture of the market remains intact.”

The chief executive points to continued product development by major financial institutions as further evidence that institutional integration is progressing rather than retreating.

“Banks, asset managers and payment firms are embedding digital asset capabilities into core offerings. This strategic direction is long term,” he says.

He expects sentiment to improve markedly by mid-year.

“As macro uncertainty stabilises and ETF flows normalize, sidelined capital is likely to re-enter. We could reasonably expect a return to $100,000 by the end of the second quarter.”

Looking beyond mid-2026, he sees the potential for Bitcoin to exceed its previous record high before the year concludes.

“Once momentum re-establishes, fresh all-time highs are achievable before year-end,” he states. “The prior peak is not a permanent ceiling.”

Nigel Green emphasises that volatility remains intrinsic to digital assets but argues that cyclical corrections have historically preceded renewed expansion phases.

“The key issue is whether structural adoption has stalled,” he says. “Our assessment is that it has not. Institutional infrastructure is broader, deeper and more resilient than at any point in Bitcoin’s history.”

He concludes: “The current bearish mood is intense, but we think it’s unlikely to endure through the middle of the year.

“Confidence can rebuild rapidly in markets where supply is constrained and institutional participation is embedded.

“We expect Bitcoin back to six figures by the end of Q2 and potentially printing new highs before the end of 2026.”