TLDR
- Citi cuts Bitcoin’s 12-month target from $143,000 to $112,000 amid slow US regulatory progress.
- Ethereum’s 12-month forecast also drops by 26.2%, impacted by regulatory delays.
- Despite the price reduction, Citi still expects growth in Bitcoin and Ethereum over the next year.
- ETF inflows show continued demand for both Bitcoin and Ethereum, despite policy delays.
Citi has lowered its Bitcoin price target by $31,000 for the next 12 months, citing delays in US regulatory progress. Despite recent price gains, the bank’s revised forecast reflects a slower-than-expected path for crypto adoption. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum are still seen as poised for growth, but at a reduced pace.
Citi Lowers Bitcoin Price Target Amid Washington Delays
Citi has revised its price targets for Bitcoin and Ethereum, reducing its 12-month Bitcoin forecast by $31,000. The update, which was issued on March 17, 2026, is a result of slower-than-expected progress in US policy regarding cryptocurrency regulation.
Despite the reduction, the revised target still suggests a potential price increase of 51.8% from Bitcoin’s current market price of around $73,777.
Ethereum also saw its target revised downward from $4,304 to $3,175, marking a 26.2% decrease in the forecast. Both assets have shown positive price movement recently, with Bitcoin up 4.5% over the past week and Ethereum rising 12%.
Slower US Policy Progress Delays Crypto Outlook
Citi’s decision to lower its price targets reflects a shift in its expectations for the crypto market. The banking giant originally based its high forecasts for Bitcoin and Ethereum on the anticipation of faster regulatory progress and increased institutional adoption.
However, delays in the US legislative process, particularly around the CLARITY Act, have created uncertainty about the timeline for supportive regulations.
Citi pointed out that Washington’s policy delays are affecting the expected boost from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other institutional investments.
“The regulatory framework needed to accelerate adoption and ETF demand has not moved as fast as we had hoped,” Citi explained. The bank now expects the pace of these developments to be slower, which has led to a more cautious outlook for both Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Ongoing Demand and ETF Inflows Support Positive Outlook
Despite the reduced targets, Citi remains optimistic about the long-term potential of Bitcoin and Ethereum. The bank notes that ETF inflows into both cryptocurrencies are continuing to grow.
As of March 16, Bitcoin ETFs saw $199 million in net inflows, bringing their cumulative total to $56.3 billion. Ethereum ETFs experienced $36 million in net inflows, with a total of $11.8 billion in cumulative inflows.
Citi’s revised outlook suggests that while the upside for Bitcoin and Ethereum may not be as large as previously predicted, there is still room for growth over the next year.
The current market conditions, combined with the ongoing demand from institutional investors, indicate that the crypto market is not losing momentum, even though policy delays are slowing the pace of progress.
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