Tom Lee’s Bold Prediction: Bitcoin Not Peaked – Eyes New All-Time High by January 2026
Is ? Tom Lee Thinks So and Predicts a Fresh High Soon
Bitcoin has seen wild ups and downs, but one top Wall Street voice says the party is far from over. Fundstrat Global Advisors co-founder Tom Lee recently shared his upbeat view on CNBC’s Squawk Box. He believes
Tom Lee’s Bitcoin Forecast: Breaking Past $126,000
Lee made headlines with his strong words. “I don’t think bitcoin has peaked yet,” he said. He admitted his team was too hopeful about a high before December 2025. Still, he stands firm: Bitcoin can top its record soon. The current all-time high sits above $126,000 from October 2025. Bitcoin closed 2025 around $88,500 and now trades near $93,700.
This bold call ramps up Lee’s long-term bull case for crypto. Back in August 2025, he eyed $200,000 by year-end. It fell short, but Lee sees no reason to give up. He urges investors not to think Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other coins have topped out.
2026 Crypto Outlook: A Year of Two Halves
Lee paints 2026 as a bumpy but rewarding ride for crypto. Expect volatility in the first half due to big players like institutions shuffling their holdings. He calls it a “strategic reset” – not a crash, but a pause after years of big gains in risky assets.
- First half: Tough times with rebalancing and resets.
- Second half: Massive rally as the market digests the shake-up.
“That volatility sets the stage for the massive rally we expect later,” Lee noted. This reset builds strength for what’s next.
Ethereum’s Turn: Entering a Supercycle Like Bitcoin’s Glory Days
Lee saves extra praise for Ethereum. He sees ETH kicking off a multi-year boom, much like Bitcoin’s run from 2017 to 2021. Last year, he predicted $15,000 by December 2025 – it topped at $4,830 and ended near $3,300. Undeterred, his crypto mining firm, Bitmine Immersion Technologies, just bought more ETH. They now hold 4.14 million ETH.
“Ethereum is dramatically undervalued,” Lee stated. He views ETH as a must-have for company balance sheets, not just a gamble. “Acquiring an asset that can grow 10 times or more is key for modern treasuries.”
Broader Market Vibes: Stocks Set for Big Gains Too
Lee’s optimism spills beyond crypto. He forecasts the S&P 500 hitting 7,700 by end-2026. Why? Strong U.S. economy, tough corporate earnings, and AI boosting productivity.
“The EPS story is way stronger than bears admit,” he said. Pullbacks? Just buy chances. “There’s a lot to be optimistic about in 2026.”
Market Context: XRP Surges and Exchange Booms
While Lee talks big pictures, other news heats up crypto. XRP jumped 11% to nearly $2.40, fueled by U.S. spot XRP ETFs. They saw $48 million inflows, pushing total past $1 billion since November launch. This shows growing demand for altcoins.
Exchanges thrive too. KuCoin grabbed record market share in 2025 with over $1.25 trillion in trades, outpacing the overall market. These trends back Lee’s view of a healthy, expanding crypto space.
Why Listen to Tom Lee? Track Record and Insights
Lee’s past calls have mixed results, but his focus on fundamentals shines. He ties crypto to real-world shifts like institutional money and tech advances. Bitcoin’s resilience post-2025 dip, plus ETH’s potential, fits his narrative.
Investors weigh his words carefully. If right, January 2026 could mark
What to Watch in Early 2026
- Institutional moves: Will rebalancing spark dips or buys?
- ETH momentum: More firms stacking like Bitmine?
- Stock-crypto link: S&P rally lift risk assets?
- Altcoin action: XRP ETFs hint at broader flows.
Lee’s message is clear: Stay patient. Volatility is normal; big rewards follow.
Final Thoughts: Opportunity Knocks in Crypto
Tom Lee’s
Dips are for buying, per Lee. As markets reset, smart plays now could pay off big later.
