Citi Slashes Bitcoin Price Target by $31,000 Despite Rising BTC Prices
Citigroup has cut its 12-month Bitcoin price target by $31,000, lowering it from $143,000 to $112,000, even as the bank continues to project significant upside from current levels. The revision, issued on March 17 by Citi analyst Alex Saunders, points to stalled U.S. crypto legislation and slower-than-expected ETF demand as the primary drivers behind the more cautious outlook.
Citi Drops Bitcoin Target by $31,000, Trims Ethereum Forecast Too
The 21.7% reduction brings Citi’s base-case Bitcoin target down from December 2025’s $143,000 call to $112,000 over the next 12 months. The bank simultaneously cut its Ethereum target from $4,304 to $3,175, a 26% reduction.
Saunders cited three factors behind the downgrade: slower ETF inflows, weak on-chain network activity, and a narrowing legislative window for crypto regulation. Citi’s revised ETF demand assumptions now sit at $10 billion for Bitcoin and $2.5 billion for Ethereum over the next 12 months.
“ETF demand where we reduce the assumption to $10 billion [BTC] and $2.5 billion (ETH) is still the most important positive factor,” Saunders wrote in the note to clients.
The bank also outlined scenario targets. In a bull case with stronger ETF adoption, Bitcoin could reach $165,000 and Ethereum $4,488. A bear case, tied to recessionary conditions, puts Bitcoin at $58,000 and Ethereum at $1,198.
Why Citi Turned Cautious While Bitcoin Still Has Room to Run
The apparent contradiction in the headline dissolves under closer inspection. Bitcoin traded at roughly $71,517 on March 18, down 3.26% over 24 hours and far below its October 2025 all-time high of $126,080. Even the reduced $112,000 target implies roughly 57% upside from current prices.
This is a ceiling cut, not a floor cut. Citi is not turning bearish on Bitcoin. The bank still expects prices to climb substantially. What changed is the pace and magnitude of the projected rally, driven largely by regulatory uncertainty that has cooled institutional appetite, similar to how Ethereum Foundation’s recent DeFi treasury moves reflect institutions adapting strategies in uncertain conditions.
The key risk Citi identified centers on Washington. The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act passed the U.S. House but has stalled in the Senate Banking Committee since January 2026. A scheduled markup was pulled over unresolved disagreements between the banking and crypto industries regarding stablecoin yield rules.
Market-implied odds for the CLARITY Act passing in 2026 have slipped to approximately 60%. The bill would establish clear token classifications and assign regulatory oversight between the SEC and CFTC, a framework considered critical for the kind of institutional adoption that would drive sustained ETF inflows.
The legislative gridlock echoes broader tensions in Washington. Senator Warren has accused the administration of blocking Federal Reserve rate cuts, adding another layer of policy uncertainty for risk assets including crypto.
What This Means for Bitcoin’s Near-Term Path
Citi’s bear case of $58,000 sits below Bitcoin’s current price of roughly $71,500, meaning the bank sees meaningful downside risk if macro conditions deteriorate. The Fear & Greed Index reading of 26 places market sentiment firmly in “Fear” territory, reflecting the weight of regulatory uncertainty on trader confidence.
Bitcoin’s market cap stands at $1.43 trillion with $42.64 billion in 24-hour trading volume. The price has fallen roughly 43% from its all-time high of $126,080 set in October 2025, a drawdown that has already tested investor conviction.
The Senate Banking Committee’s next moves on the CLARITY Act are the most concrete catalyst to watch. If the stablecoin yield disagreements are resolved and a markup is rescheduled, Citi’s legislative probability estimate of 60% could shift upward quickly, potentially triggering a reassessment of ETF demand projections. Conversely, further delays could validate the more cautious stance.
While some crypto ventures have already folded under current market pressure, Citi’s framework suggests the infrastructure for the next leg higher remains intact. The question is whether Washington will move fast enough to unlock it before institutional patience wears thinner.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
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