Tom Lee, chairman of Bitmine Technology — Ethereum's largest treasury firm — expects Bitcoin to close 2026 between $150,000 and $200,000, and Ethereum to hit $9,000 to $12,000. Lee declared the crypto winter finished and a 'Crypto Spring' underway. The call comes as Bitcoin finally broke out of a two-month trading range, surging past $80,000 on Monday for the first time since January.
Bitcoin breaks the $74K–$79K rut
Bitcoin had been stuck between $74,000 and $79,000 since mid-April. On Monday, it pushed above $80,000 and kept climbing, touching $82,500 before getting rejected on Thursday. Since then, BTC has settled back between $79,000 and $80,000. The move higher is the first real directional shift in weeks, but the rejection at resistance suggests the rally isn't fully accepted yet.
Analysts see warning signs at resistance
Analyst Rekt Capital pointed out that Bitcoin successfully held the 21-week EMA around $78,000 during the recent pullback — a positive technical signal. But he warned the push through resistance may not be sustainable and could lead to another retest of that level. That's the kind of choppy action that frustrates traders who bought the breakout.
Market analyst Ali Martinez added a more concrete threshold: Bitcoin is now trading around the average cost basis of new whales — $80,300. If Bitcoin can't hold that line, those whales may sell to break even, creating a wave of selling pressure. If it turns into support, Martinez says, a new uptrend could begin.
What 'Crypto Spring' means for the rest of 2026
Lee's forecast is the boldest from a major industry figure this year. Bitmine Technology holds the largest Ethereum treasury among public companies, so Lee has skin in the game. But the timing lines up with a broader shift in sentiment. Institutional inflows have picked up and regulatory clarity is slowly improving in several jurisdictions. Whether the market can sustain a march toward $150,000 depends on whether Bitcoin can turn $80,300 into a solid floor — and whether the next attempt at $82,500 breaks through for good.
The immediate test comes in the next few trading sessions. If Bitcoin slides back below $78,000, Rekt Capital's retest scenario plays out and the 'Crypto Spring' narrative takes a hit. If it holds and grinds higher, Lee's year-end targets start looking less like fantasy.
