Bitcoin price analyst predicts cryptocurrency will reach record high in six months despite recent crash

Latest forecast is still a fraction of what some prominent investors believe it will hit in the next few years

Anthony Cuthbertson
Wednesday 04 September 2019 17:08 BST
Comments
What is cryptocurrency and the technology behind bitcoin and its rivals?

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cryptocurrency analysts have renewed their price forecasts following bitcoin's recent crash, with some prominent figures predicting it will still hit record highs before the end of the year.

Bitcoin's record-breaking price gains over the last month came crashing to an end at the start of June, as more than $1,000 was wiped from its value.

It is currently trading below $8,000, less than half the value it reached in late 2017 when a major price rally saw it almost hit $20,000. Yet experts note that he recent dip does not necessarily mean a market turnaround.

"I believe bitcoin has the potential to hit $25,000 by the end of 2019 or early 2020," prominent bitcoin analyst Oliver Isaacs told The Independent.

"There are multiple drivers behind the recent resurgence. There are geopolitical, technological and regulatory drivers. The net effect of the trade war between the US and China has led to the sudden interest in bitcoin as a hedge on investments."

A growing number of investors are beginning to view bitcoin as an established safe haven that operates in a market that is finally being protected through regulatory oversight, according to Mr Isaacs.

He also points to signs of increased adoption for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, with major organisations and retailers like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks and Whole Foods opening up to payments from virtual currencies.

Other notable figures within the cryptocurrency space have been even more optimistic when forecasting bitcoin's future price.

Billionaire investor Tim Draper renewed his claim earlier this year that bitcoin will reach $250,000 by 2023 – a prediction he first made when the price of the cryptocurrency was around $5,000.

Cryptocurrency markets crashed at the start of June but analysts still predict bitcoin could reach record highs before 2020
Cryptocurrency markets crashed at the start of June but analysts still predict bitcoin could reach record highs before 2020 (Getty Images)

"It's going to keep going [up in price] because I'm a believer that in four years, something like that, bitcoin will be about a 5 per cent market share of the Earth," Mr Draper said.

"It's a better currency, it's decentralised, open [and] transparent – everybody knows what happens on the blockchain."

Beyond its huge price gains, Mr Draper claims bitcoin will replace other forms of mainstream payment within a few years.

"I think when you go to Starbucks to buy a cup of coffee, and you try to pay with dollars, they will laugh at you because you are not using bitcoin or other cryptocurrency," he said. "It will be like the old lady paying out with pennies."

We’ve teamed up with cryptocurrency trading platform eToro. Click here to get the latest Bitcoin rates and start trading. Cryptocurrencies are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No EU investor protection. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in