Coinbase Survey Shows 67% of Institutions Bullish on Bitcoin Through Early 2026

Key Takeaways:

•  Institutional investors express greater optimism than retail participants.
• This sentiment is reflected in strategic accumulation during price declines.
• Anticipated macroeconomic catalysts may support further institutional inflows.

According to Coinbase's October 2025 institutional survey, there's growing optimism for Bitcoin heading into 2026. The data indicates that 67% of respondents expect prices to rise over the next three to six months.

Where Institutional Confidence is Placing Its Biggest Bets in Crypto

According to the report titled “Navigating Uncertainty,” two-thirds of surveyed institutions expressed a positive outlook for Bitcoin (BTC), currently trading around $111,000. 

Recent market moves underscore why professional insight matters more than ever.

Our Q4 Charting Crypto report surveyed 120+ market professionals* on:
• Where markets are headed
• Which risks are top of mind
• Where we are in the market cycle

In times of uncertainty, data… pic.twitter.com/JzVM1oqviK

— Coinbase Institutional 🛡️ (@CoinbaseInsto) October 16, 2025

The report, titled “Navigating Uncertainty” and led by David Duong, Head of Coinbase Institutional, reveals an important confidence gap. 

While 45% of institutional respondents believe the market is in the late stages of a bull run, only 27% of retail investors share that view. This divergence in view between the two categories of investors underscore a more cautious stance among non-institutional players.

This optimism from the institutional players is reinforced by tangible market reactions such as the recent price dip, which many treat as accumulation opportunities for long-term holding. 

For example, BitMine chair Tom Lee acquired over 379,000 Ether (valued at nearly $1.5 billion) following a recent market correction. 

Similarly, Strategy's Michael Saylor has signaled continued expansion of its Bitcoin holdings. These moves demonstrate a powerful, long-term conviction that transcends short-term volatility.

Coinbase's analysis suggests that the current bullish sentiment is grounded in specific macroeconomic expectations. The report identifies two of these sentiments. 

One is the anticipated Federal Reserve rate cut, while the other revolves around the new fiscal stimulus measures in China. Both factors are seen as important catalysts that could drive more capital inflows into digital assets like Bitcoin.

 In addition, Duong also pointed to the current liquidity conditions. He argued that as risk appetite expands, there could be a reallocation of capital from large money-market funds into risk assets like crypto, seeking higher returns.

The exchange maintains a favorable outlook on Bitcoin but exercises caution toward altcoins, citing concerns over uneven liquidity and elevated valuation risks.

The Corporate Push for Crypto Reserves

Bitcoin’s role in corporate finance continues to evolve rapidly, even as its price recently slipped to $111,000. 

Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings of 640,031 BTC, which rivals the cash treasuries of major tech firms, exemplifies this trend. The company has realized approximately $30 billion in paper profit, and a price rebound could see its holdings surpass those of other corporate giants.

The momentum has gone global. 

China’s Next Technology Holding is planning a $500 million stock sale to expand its 5,833 BTC treasury, while Japan’s Metaplanet and U.S. firms like Semler Scientific pursue similar equity raises. 

With over 200 public companies now holding Bitcoin, corporate adoption has evolved from speculation into deliberate market positioning in modern treasury strategy.