Is the Bitcoin price heading down to US$10,000? Here's Wall Street's take

Investors are split over the next big move for the world's top crypto, with the bears outnumbering the bulls.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • The Bitcoin price is down 70% from all-time highs 
  • 60% of polled investors on Wall Street believe it’s likely to fall another 50% 
  • Institutional investors were more bullish than retail investors on their outlook for cryptos 

The Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) price is down 3% since this time yesterday, currently trading for US$20,516 (AU$30,018).

Despite the retrace, the world's top crypto by market cap remains up for the full week, having traded as low as US$19,341 last Monday.

However, as you're likely aware, Bitcoin remains well-down from its 10 November all-time highs of US$68,790.

So, with the Bitcoin price having tumbled 70% since November, could it be looking at another 50% fall from here? Or is the world's original token set for a 50% leap instead?

a mysterious person wearing a black hoodie points a finger to a vast illuminated graph tracking bitcoin value with bitcoin symbols floating above the chart.

Image source: Getty Images

Wall Street surveyed on outlook for Bitcoin price

That's the multi-billion dollar question the MLIV Pulse Survey set out to answer.

The survey, which took place over four days last week, asked 950 retail and institutional investors on Wall Street whether they expect the Bitcoin price to trade for US$10,000 or US$30,000 first.

With rising inflation and interest rates in mind, and the big sell-off that's already seen in risk assets like high growth tech shares and cryptos, 60% of respondents said they believe the top crypto is more likely to fall to US$10,000 than rocket back to US$30,000.

As Bloomberg noted, retail investors were more sceptical about the broader crypto market than professional investors, with 24% of retail investors agreeing that "all cryptos are garbage" compared to 18% of institutional investors.

On the bullish side, 26% of professional investors believe "cryptocurrencies are the future", compared to 23% of retail investors.

As for when the Bitcoin price might bottom?

Searching for the lows

In commentary unrelated to the MLIV Pulse Survey, Marcus Sotiriou, analyst at GlobalBlock, reiterated the correlation between the tumbling Bitcoin price in 2022 and the abrupt return of higher than expected inflation in the United States, the world's top economy.

According to Sotiriou (quoted by Bloomberg):

The only Bitcoin bottom signal for me is persistent data showing us that inflation is convincingly inflecting down. This should result in the Federal Reserve becoming less aggressive with their monetary policy, and therefore provide confidence that the liquidity crisis in the crypto market is over.

The latest inflation data out of the US is due Wednesday evening, Australia time.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Cryptocurrencies

A man sits at his computer with his head in his hands while his laptop screen displays a Bitcoin symbol and his desktop computer screen displays a steeply falling graph.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin is back below US$77,000. Is this an opportunity for ASX investors?

Three big falls, three very different businesses.

Read more »

A rich buisnessman buys luxury items with Bitcoin
Cryptocurrencies

Why is the Bitcoin price rocketing 16% this week?

Crypto investors have sent the Ethereum and Bitcoin prices soaring this week. But why?

Read more »

A smiling woman holds a Bitcoin token in her hand.
Cryptocurrencies

Amid big swings in the Bitcoin price, can the crypto really help diversify your investment portfolio?

Leading analysts sound off on the diversification benefits of buying Bitcoin.

Read more »

A man sits at a desk with a phone in one hand, his other hand on his chin and studies a computer screen in front of him with what appears to be cryptocurrency data on both screens.
Cryptocurrencies

ASX shares or crypto? Here are the benefits and risks of each

Which asset should ASX investors choose?

Read more »

A Bitcoin symbol atop a spring, indicating the uncertain direction of cryptocurrency as a commodity
Cryptocurrencies

What could spark a Bitcoin price rebound in 2026?

Three powerful catalysts could determine whether Bitcoin’s brutal 2026 downturn finally begins to reverse.

Read more »

Red arrow crashing in the ground with a Bitcoin token next to it.
Cryptocurrencies

Down 48%, why a Bitcoin price rebound may be off the cards

Will Bitcoin and Ethereum ever recover their 48% and 61% price losses?

Read more »

Gold Bitcoins lying on a global finance currency chart with arrows shooting higher.
Cryptocurrencies

Could US lawmakers drive a rebound in the beaten-down Bitcoin price?

Bitcoin and Ethereum are both down almost 50% in a year. Could this be the catalyst crypto investors have been…

Read more »

Red arrow crashing in the ground with a Bitcoin token next to it.
Cryptocurrencies

What on earth's happening with the Bitcoin price?

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and gold have come crashing down from their record highs. But why?

Read more »