Bitcoin price prediction: Bitcoin may be entering a new growth phase that could push prices as high as $140,000within the next six months, according to fresh research that challenges the cryptocurrency’s long-standing four-year cycle theory.

A new analysis from digital asset firm Copper suggests Bitcoin’s behavior has fundamentally changed since the launch of U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January 2024. Instead of moving in long boom-and-bust cycles tied to halving events, Bitcoin now appears to follow a faster, repeatable pattern driven by institutional cost basis levels.

Bitcoin was trading near $85,000 today, down about 2.9% on the day.

Copper argues that Bitcoin now trades around what it calls a “cost-basis returns cycle.” The pattern has repeated three times in just two years.

In each case, Bitcoin surged to new all-time highs, corrected sharply, and then found support almost exactly at the average purchase price of ETF investors. Once that level held, prices moved higher again.

Since January 2024, each of these cycles has delivered gains of more than60%, according to Copper’s data. The firm says ETFs have effectively replaced retail speculation with portfolio-driven institutional behavior.

That shift has changed how volatility works in the market.

Copper’s research points to institutional portfolio rebalancing as the main cause of Bitcoin’s sudden corrections during rallies.

Large investors are not holding Bitcoin as a long-term belief asset. They treat it as a risk-adjusted portfolio component. Most institutions allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolios to Bitcoin exposure through ETFs.

When Bitcoin rallies quickly, those allocations can drift far beyond their targets. A 2% allocation can rise to more than 6% in under 180 days. A 5% position can approach double-digit exposure.

When that happens, institutions sell to rebalance. Those sales create sharp but temporary pullbacks, converting volatility into realized gains.

Why $140,000 is now a realistic target

Copper’s head of research, Fadi Aboualfa, says Bitcoin is now sitting at a critical level.

Bitcoin is trading close to its estimated ETF investor cost basis of roughly $84,000. In previous cycles, that level acted as strong support before the next upward move.

If Bitcoin follows the same pattern again, Copper estimates prices could climb above $140,000 within 180 days. If the ETF cost basis rises by 10% to 15%, as seen in earlier cycles, historical premiums suggest a target range between $138,000 and $148,000.

That would represent a return to record highs within six months.

ETF flows and macro headwinds cloud the outlook

Despite the bullish projections, near-term risks remain. Bitcoin currently lacks clear upside catalysts.

The Federal Reserve’s recent 0.25 percentage point rate cut was widely expected and already priced into markets. Policymakers have also signaled that only one rate cut may follow in 2026, limiting near-term liquidity support.

ETF flow data adds further caution. According to SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETF inflows slowed sharply in December and failed to offset heavy outflows recorded in November.

Products from BlackRock, Fidelity, and other issuers now hold about 6.57% of Bitcoin’s total market capitalization. Sustained outflows at that scale could place significant pressure on prices.

A drop below $80,000 could shift market psychology

Analysts warn that the biggest test would come if Bitcoin falls below ETF investors’ cost basis for an extended period.

Amberdata research shows the margin of safety between price and ETF cost basis has narrowed to levels last seen in early 2024. A sustained move below $80,000 could trigger deeper sell-offs and a sharp change in sentiment.

The risk is amplified by large leveraged holders. Strategy now owns more than 660,000 BTC, over 3% of total supply. Many of those purchases were funded through debt. The company has acknowledged it may need to sell Bitcoin if its market-to-net-asset-value ratio drops below 1.

Amberdata notes that early investors remain patient, protected by deep profits. Newer buyers face pressure from investment committees and client redemptions, especially those who entered near $100,000.

Whether institutions would return after exiting Bitcoin ETFs remains an open question. The answer could define the next phase of Bitcoin’s market structure.