Despite recent price dips and global trade uncertainties, Bitcoin remains on track for a multi-million-dollar future, according to Joe Burnett, director of market research at Unchained. Burnett believes that Bitcoin’s long-term fundamentals are intact and could see the asset soar past $1.8 million by 2035, even amid short-term market turbulence.
Long-Term Vision Unshaken by Short-Term Woes
Speaking on Cointelegraph’s Chainreaction show, Burnett highlighted two key price models shaping the decade-ahead Bitcoin narrative — the “parallel” model projecting $1.8 million, and Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin 24 model, which sees Bitcoin reaching $2.1 million by 2035.
“These are good base cases,” Burnett said, noting that Bitcoin’s real-world adoption and macroeconomic shifts could drive even greater price action.
Bitcoin vs Gold: A Technological Upgrade
Bitcoin’s growth potential, Burnett argued, lies in its ability to rival or even surpass gold’s $21 trillion market cap.
“If Bitcoin reached gold parity, we’d already be seeing $1 million per coin,” he noted, comparing Bitcoin to the automobile overtaking the horse-and-buggy — an inevitable shift driven by superior technology.
While Bitcoin as a “digital gold” continues to evolve, its safe-haven narrative is currently eclipsed by tokenised gold, which has seen trading volumes surge past $1 billion — the highest in two years — amid renewed trade tensions and inflation fears.
Market Volatility: A Feature, Not a Flaw
Bitcoin’s volatility, though often criticised, is maturing. Burnett pointed out that bear markets serve a critical function — transferring coins into the hands of long-term believers.
“Volatility doesn’t scare the strongest holders,” he said. “Every drawdown strengthens Bitcoin’s foundation by redistributing supply to those with conviction.”
Although future crashes of up to 80% aren’t off the table, these phases may become prime accumulation windows for institutional and retail investors alike.
2025 Outlook: Gold Shines While Bitcoin Struggles
Despite bullish forecasts, Bitcoin is down over 10% year-to-date, while gold has climbed 23%, according to TradingView.
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, sees BTC hitting $250,000 by the end of 2025 — but only if the US Federal Reserve reverts to quantitative easing.
In the near term, caution dominates. With capital flowing out of Bitcoin ETFs and investors awaiting clarity on global tariff policies, many are reallocating to safer havens like gold and strong fiat currencies.
“Bitcoin’s story isn’t over — but in the next 90 days, it’s on pause,” said Enmanuel Cardozo of tokenisation platform Brickken.
