Bitget Research: Bitcoin Forecast for April 2026

Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research, highlights that Bitcoin and Ethereum are buoyed by consistent institutional ETF demand and reduced leverage, with predictions of BTC reaching between $80,000 and $85,000 in the near term and ETH aiming for $2,800 to $3,000.

Ryan Lee from Bitget Research asserts that Bitcoin and Ethereum are maintaining a positive short-term trend bolstered by consistent institutional allocation. Factors such as ETF demand, lower leverage, and improved participation in the spot market are providing stability for both assets. Reports indicate that U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs achieved eight consecutive days of net inflows amounting to $2.1 billion as of April 23, marking the longest inflow streak since October 2025, with BlackRock’s IBIT accounting for roughly 75% of the total capital entering this category.

Bitget Research Anticipates BTC Surpassing $80K to $85K With Ongoing Inflows

Lee states, “The current rally is not driven by aggressive speculative positioning, giving it a more solid base compared to earlier cycles that were primarily influenced by retail momentum.” He projects that Bitcoin will surpass $80,000 to $85,000 with sustained inflows, while Ethereum is expected to rise towards $2,800 to $3,000, fueled by improvements within its ecosystem and broader adoption. As previously noted, institutional inflows into spot ETFs and corporate treasury purchases are reinforcing Bitcoin’s status as a digital reserve. Additionally, both Bitcoin and Ethereum have outperformed gold and broader equity indices this year, despite geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices that would typically benefit gold. Lee’s observation that the current rally is supported by a stronger institutional base aligns with the data: the eight-day inflow period absorbed around 19,000 BTC, which is approximately nine times the 2,100 BTC generated by miners during the same timeframe.

Gold and Oil Influence the Macro Landscape for Digital Assets

Lee observes that gold’s steady pricing at high levels reflects ongoing demand for safe-haven assets as markets respond to geopolitical uncertainties, persistent inflation expectations, and a slower pace of policy easing across major economies. This suggests that capital is diversifying among various stores of value instead of being heavily concentrated in one hedge. As noted, Bitcoin ETF flows have been particularly responsive to this trend in 2026, with oil prices nearing $100 per barrel earlier this year, causing a risk-off mode that resulted in over $296 million flowing out of spot Bitcoin ETFs within a week. Lee acknowledges that sustained high oil prices add another layer of macroeconomic pressure, as elevated energy costs can delay expectations for rate cuts and tighten liquidity in the markets.

Implications of Institutional Absorption for Crypto Portfolios

Lee stated that the growth potential for digital assets remains contingent upon whether institutional investments can continue to absorb macroeconomic volatility rather than merely reacting to it. He asserts, “As long as this trend continues, crypto is well-positioned within broader portfolio strategies.” Previously, Lee has suggested that ETF flows are not the sole determinants of Bitcoin’s price performance; rather, a combination of technical conditions and macroeconomic factors, alongside institutional positioning, plays a crucial role across different cycles. The present scenario, where institutional inflows are absorbing supply at a rate nearly nine times that of mining, exemplifies the structural demand foundation that Lee’s analysis identifies as being more resilient compared to speculative retail activity.