Bitcoin has recently entered a key phase in its market cycle, according to Tom Lee, co-founder of Fundstrat. In a Nov. 29 interview with Wealthion, Lee suggested that Bitcoin could reach $250,000 within the next 12 months. He explained that the upcoming halving event, which reduces the supply of Bitcoin, combined with rising institutional interest, is setting the stage for a price surge. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is priced at $97,343.

Lee believes that Bitcoin’s price will follow its historical pattern, with a significant increase in value following the halving cycle. He said current conditions make it “highly probable” that Bitcoin will hit $250,000 next year. One of the factors contributing to this is the shift in the political landscape in the United States, with an incoming government that has shown support for Bitcoin. Lee pointed out that if the U.S. begins to accumulate Bitcoin as part of its strategic reserve, it could lend further legitimacy to the cryptocurrency and boost its price.

He also mentioned the strategy of companies like MicroStrategy, which has integrated Bitcoin into its balance sheet with great success. Lee believes that if more companies adopt a similar approach, it will drive further demand for Bitcoin. This, combined with broader support from the U.S. government, could push Bitcoin’s price even higher.

Lee’s bullish prediction isn’t limited to Bitcoin alone. He noted that other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche could also see significant price gains in the coming year. He sees Bitcoin’s growth as part of a larger trend of increasing institutional adoption, which will drive the entire market forward.

Additionally, Lee views Bitcoin as an effective hedge against inflation, similar to gold and real estate. He believes that as inflation continues rising globally, Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralized nature will make it an attractive store of value. This is especially true as traditional financial markets face uncertainty.

Popular trader Dave The Wave also weighed in on Bitcoin’s potential, suggesting that a $150,000 price target is achievable if Bitcoin follows its performance from October 2023 to March 2024, a period during which the cryptocurrency gained 186%.

Tom Lee’s prediction for Bitcoin is optimistic, with a target price of $250,000 in the next year. Factors like the halving cycle, the U.S. government’s pro-Bitcoin stance, and increasing institutional adoption are expected to drive the cryptocurrency’s value. Lee also believes that Bitcoin is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to gold as a store of value.