The Bitcoin price could reach unprecedented levels in the current market cycle, according to Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance.
In an interview on May 5th with Rug Radio, Zhao expressed a bold estimate, predicting a value between 500,000 and 1,000,000 dollars for Bitcoin.
This forecast is based primarily on three key factors: the growing adoption by institutions, the governmental accumulation, and a US policy favorable to cryptocurrencies.
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, predicts Bitcoin at $500K-$1M in the current cycle due to institutional adoption
Zhao, known as “CZ”, emphasized how the market is witnessing a significant increase in spot Bitcoin ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds), financial instruments that have the potential to attract traditional investments into the crypto sector.
According to the CEO, these ETFs represent a “smart way” to bring institutional capital into the Bitcoin market, and they are “a positive factor for the price”.
The spot Bitcoin ETFs facilitate the entry of institutional investors, such as pension funds and large financial managers, who have historically preferred regulated and less volatile assets.
Zhao highlighted that “most of the money in the United States is institutional money” and therefore the expansion of Bitcoin-based ETFs directly translates into a significant increase in demand.
This istituzionalizzazione di Bitcoin is crucial. For CZ, it is a phenomenon “positively correlated” with the price growth. The altcoin, in comparison, have been performing less well recently. According to him:
“Our portfolios are growing – not so much for altcoins, but at least for Bitcoin.”
Therefore, not only individual demand, but also large-scale capital is shifting towards Bitcoin, making it stronger and less volatile compared to the past.
An aspect less discussed, but no less important, is the role of governments in the purchase of Bitcoin. Zhao emphasized that this dynamic represents a fundamental validation for the market, reinforcing the legitimacy of Bitcoin as a reserve asset.
Concrete examples confirm this trend. El Salvador, the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, continues to accumulate new quantities of BTC.
In the seven days leading up to April 27, the country bought 7 Bitcoin, equivalent to over 650,000 dollars during the period. Currently, El Salvador holds about 6,170 BTC, with a value around 580 million dollars.
The impact of US policy on the future of Bitcoin
On the other hand, the Kingdom of Bhutan is also moving towards a similar strategy: recent reports indicate that the country is planning to create a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, as part of a new economic hub.
These state acquisitions indicate a growing interest in cryptocurrencies even at the level of monetary policy, signaling a trend that could push the Bitcoin price even higher.
A critical factor cited by Changpeng Zhao concerns the political shift in the United States.
According to the founder of Binance, Donald Trump’s presidency marked a clear shift in the attitude of the USA administration towards cryptocurrencies, finally positioning itself in a favorable and supportive manner.
Zhao stated:
“The USA has made a 180-degree turn under a pro-crypto president. They are smart enough to recognize that buying Bitcoin is a winning move, and now other countries will also have to adapt.”
This pro-Bitcoin policy could represent a decisive element for the further spread of cryptocurrencies on a global level.
A strong and favorable government attracts institutional investors and helps to establish a clearer regulatory framework, reducing the risks perceived by market operators.
Regarding retail investors, Zhao is clear in analyzing their contribution and behavior in the market. He recalls that small investors “have had 15 years to buy Bitcoin,” a sufficient period to enter the market.
Consequently, Zhao firmly states that those who now decide to invest late “have chosen to do so,” implying that the time to accumulate Bitcoin, according to him, might now be over for retail investors.
This statement emphasizes that the true upward push will come primarily from large institutional operators and governments, which have resources and long-term strategies.
What to Expect from the Bitcoin Market in the Near Future
In summary, Changpeng Zhao’s prediction is based on concrete and evolving elements: growing institutional adoption, state accumulation of Bitcoin, and a pro-crypto federal policy in the USA.
These combined factors can fuel a significant increase in the Bitcoin price to figures between 500,000 and 1,000,000 dollars in the current cycle.
It is not specified in the interview what the risks or precise timings are, but the dynamics indicated suggest a long phase of consolidation and growth.
The potential rise in Bitcoin price so high would represent a radical change for the cryptocurrency sector and for the world economy.
Institutional investors will likely continue to view Bitcoin as a true store of value, while governments may accelerate their participation.
The deepening of regulation in the USA and around the world will determine the pace of this transformation, opening up new scenarios and more structured and secure investment opportunities.
Operators in the sector and investors must closely follow these developments to seize emerging opportunities. Particular attention should be paid to Bitcoin ETFs and political decisions, as they are instruments and contexts that can rapidly influence the market.
Finally, to believe in a solid and lasting growth of the Bitcoin price, it will be essential to carefully evaluate both political and global economic signals, maintaining an informed and cautious approach.
The climb of Bitcoin’s price towards such ambitious targets, as predicted by Zhao, is not just a matter of numbers, but a sign of the maturation of the crypto sector as a global financial asset.
This cycle could therefore mark an epochal turning point, with profound and lasting implications in the international economic system.