Standard Chartered Bank has reiterated its bold prediction that Bitcoin could reach $500,000 before the end of President Donald Trump’s next term, citing increasing indirect exposure from sovereign and government-related investors.
In a report released Tuesday, Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, pointed to Q1 13F filings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as supporting evidence. While direct investment in spot Bitcoin ETFs was “disappointing,” a noticeable uptick in Strategy (MSTR) holdings signaled something more important: governments and institutional players are entering the market—quietly.
Indirect Bitcoin Exposure Through MSTR
MicroStrategy, the business intelligence firm turned de facto Bitcoin holding company, owns over 200,000 BTC and is frequently used by institutions to gain Bitcoin exposure via equity markets. According to Kendrick, the growing presence of sovereign entities and public funds in MSTR stock reveals rising indirect investment in Bitcoin without touching the digital asset directly.
“The latest 13F data… supports our core thesis that Bitcoin will reach the $500,000 level before Trump leaves office,” Kendrick wrote.
The Institutional Migration Has Begun
While Bitcoin ETFs have drawn considerable attention, Kendrick believes many institutional portfolios are still underweight BTC and only beginning the “migration” toward what he considers an optimal allocation. He notes that reduced volatility and regulatory clarity will help pave the way for more meaningful adoption.
“As more investors gain access to the asset and as volatility falls, portfolios will migrate towards their optimal level,” he added.
Why This Matters
- MicroStrategy’s rising shareholder base may hint at public entities and sovereign wealth funds exploring BTC exposure
- Indirect ownership reduces regulatory and custodial concerns, offering a path of lower friction for conservative institutions
- The trend supports long-term bullish price models, especially amid broader macro uncertainty and the appeal of Bitcoin as a hedge
$500K by 2029: Ambitious, But Grounded in Demand
Standard Chartered’s $500,000 price target is among the most optimistic on Wall Street but is underpinned by a combination of macroeconomic trends, limited BTC supply, and now, a broader institutional and sovereign embrace.
With President Trump’s second term potentially extending until January 2029, the bank views the next several years as a runway for Bitcoin’s mainstream integration into global portfolios.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
Source: https://coindoo.com/standard-chartered-reaffirms-500000-btc-target/