Experts Weigh In: Cathie Wood and Tom Lee Share Bitcoin Forecasts

Key TakeawaysCathie Wood reaffirms ARK’s $1.5M Bitcoin price forecast, citing improving liquidity conditions.Tom Lee softens his $250K Bitcoin forecast, now giving only a “maybe” for a year-end all-time high.Analysts warn Bitcoin must reclaim $92,000 to restore bullish momentum across the crypto market. Bitcoin price forecasts from Cathie Wood and Tom Lee drew renewed attention this week as improving U.S. liquidity and a potential QE pivot fuel speculation about a year-end crypto market reversal. Cathie Wood: Liquidity Boost Supports ARK’s Long-Term Bitcoin ForecastARK Invest says approximately $70B in liquidity has already returned to markets since the end of the U.S. government shutdown, with another $300B expected in the next six weeks as the Treasury General Account normalizes. ARK argues this shift could ease the liquidity squeeze weighing on both crypto and AI valuations.A major catalyst may arrive in the form of the next FOMC meeting in early December, where, odds are the Fed will cut its rate by 25 basis points.Source: ARK Invest on XARK Invest wrote in an X post that “With liquidity returning, quantitative tightening (QT)[2] ending December 1st, and monetary policy turning supportive, we believe conditions are building for markets to potentially reverse recent drawdowns.” Despite recent volatility, ARK’s Bitcoin price forecast remains unchanged:$1.5M bull case by 2030$300,000 bear caseCathie Wood noted that stablecoin growth has reduced Bitcoin’s safe-haven role, but gold’s price surge has offset that effect, keeping the long-term forecast intact. Macro Shifts May Ease Crypto and AI Liquidity PressureWood reiterated that the current liquidity squeeze suppressing the crypto market is likely temporary. She expects conditions to improve “in the next few weeks,” citing renewed liquidity, supportive policy, and improving sentiment across digital assets.Other analysts echo this view. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes recently suggested a Bitcoin rally to $250,000 could follow a confirmed shift toward QE. Still, analysts warn that Bitcoin must reclaim $92,000 to restore high-confidence buying pressure and unlock a broader recovery. Tom Lee Softens His $250K Bitcoin ProjectionBitMine chair Tom Lee, known for some of the sector’s most bullish predictions, has dialed back his year-end Bitcoin forecast of $250,000. He now says Bitcoin may only “maybe” reclaim its $125,100 all-time high by year-end.Lee still expects Bitcoin to rise above $100,000, emphasizing that the asset historically makes most of its gains in just 10 trading days per year. In 2024, Bitcoin's 10 strongest days produced 52% returns, while the rest of the year averaged –15%. Outlook: Key Levels and Catalysts to WatchAnalysts identify several pivotal factors for the Bitcoin price outlook:$92,000 resistance: A breakout may trigger bullish momentum across the crypto marketFederal Reserve QE pivot: Increased liquidity could strengthen institutional interestMacro volatility: U.S. economic policy remains a major driver of crypto market sentiment