BitMine Chairman Tom Lee is back with bold predictions for Bitcoin. He says, “I do think Bitcoin can make an all-time high (ATH) by the end of January.”
This is an ambitious forecast. As of December 18, 2025, Bitcoin is trading in the mid $80,000s, while its ATH of around $126,210 was set in October 2025. This means Bitcoin would need a significant price increase in just a few weeks.
Lee is well-known for making big, headline-grabbing predictions. But he is not only focused on Bitcoin. His firm, BitMine, has also been actively investing in Ethereum, including a recent $88.73 million ETH purchase. This shows that while Bitcoin is Lee’s main focus, he is also investing in other major crypto assets.
Why Lee Believes Bitcoin Can Reach a New ATH
Lee makes his prediction based on the untapped market of potential Bitcoin buyers. Many investors already have money but have not yet bought Bitcoin, especially through institutional or retirement accounts.
- Millions of people know about Bitcoin but do not own any.
- ETFs and brokerage platforms make it easier for traditional investors to buy Bitcoin.
- Even a small increase in these investors could greatly increase demand.
Currently, about 4 million Bitcoin wallets hold roughly $10,000 each, while around 900 million IRA and brokerage accounts could hold similar amounts. This gap shows why Lee focuses on traditional finance platforms, as they can bring new investors into the Bitcoin market without needing to learn crypto exchanges or manage their own wallets.
Tom Lee’s Track Record in 2025
Lee has a history of making big, attention-grabbing predictions about Bitcoin. In early 2025, he said Bitcoin could go over $150,000 by the end of the year. By September, he suggested it could even reach $200,000. While Bitcoin did reach new highs above $125,000 in October, the rally did not last long, and prices fell by more than 30 percent from the peak.
Even so, Lee’s overall bullish view was correct. Bitcoin did set new records, and his focus on long-term adoption rather than short-term timing has proven insightful. He also points out that the number of wallets does not equal the number of investors, showing that the potential for growth is still large.
Lessons for Bitcoin Investors
Heading into 2026, Lee’s predictions show that Bitcoin can move quickly, both up and down. Market reactions can be unpredictable, like how Bitcoin responded to CPI reports and Federal Reserve decisions in 2025.
Investors should use his forecasts as a guide, not a guaranteed timeline. The “untapped market” idea is strong: Bitcoin has the potential to grow significantly if even a small portion of retirement and brokerage accounts invest over time.
Should You Trust Tom Lee’s Bitcoin Predictions?
Lee’s predictions are worth considering, but with caution. His strength is understanding market structure, adoption, and potential inflows, not in predicting exact prices or dates.
For long-term investors, his focus on access and distribution gaps in Bitcoin is useful. Short-term price targets should never be the only reason to make investment decisions.
Tom Lee remains bullish on Bitcoin, highlighting long-term growth and untapped investor potential. While his bold January 2026 ATH prediction is ambitious, the market ideas behind it are important and worth paying attention to. For more Bitcoin predictions and insights from Tom Lee, visit Almostsatoshi for the latest updates.
