Bitcoin At $2.9 Million : Bold Scenarios And Forecasts For 2050

Bitcoin, born as a decentralized currency, could well become a key player in the global economy by 2050. According to a study by VanEck, one of the leading crypto asset managers, the value of bitcoin could reach 2.9 million dollars as it establishes itself as a settlement currency in international trade and as a reserve for central banks. This bold scenario raises questions about the future of traditional currencies and bitcoin’s place in the global financial system.

VanEck’s Forecasts and the Foundations of the Optimistic Scenario

While options traders aim for a return to $100,000, VanEck experts Matthew Sigel and Patrick Bush predict that bitcoin could reach an astronomical value of 2.9 million dollars by 2050, largely thanks to its role as a settlement currency for global trade.

In their analysis, the two analysts explain that this projection relies on a compound annual growth rate of 15 % and a gradual adoption of Bitcoin by international economic players. Here are the key elements of their scenario :

• Bitcoin as a global settlement currency : they estimate that bitcoin could handle between 5 and 10 % of global trade and account for about 5 % of domestic transactions by 2050 ;

• Long-term growth : a compound annual growth rate of 15 % is envisioned to allow bitcoin to reach 2.9 million dollars ;

• A hedge role against currency depreciation : according to VanEck, expanding global liquidity and fiat currency depreciation would make bitcoin attractive as a reserve asset.

Bitcoin is already used in sanctioned countries (Venezuela, Iran, Russia), offering a glimpse of its potential in global trade, although adoption by G7 countries is still modest.

The underlying elements of this analysis also include a continued expansion in demand for monetary alternatives in the face of global financial instability. Bitcoin, in this context, is seen as an alternative currency as well as a response to structural failures of traditional monetary systems.

Impact on Central Banks and Economic Implications

Beyond the simple commercial framework, the rise of bitcoin could transform the very nature of central bank reserves.

In their study, VanEck also envisions that 2.5 % of global central bank reserves would be in bitcoin, thereby strengthening the position of this crypto as a store-of-value asset. If this development materializes, it would mark a major upheaval in the global financial system, where gold and traditional currencies still dominate state reserves.

“In this model, bitcoin would function as a long-term strategic asset, aimed at preserving value against the erosion of fiat currencies,” state VanEck analysts.

However, this projection raises questions about bitcoin’s long-term stability. Indeed, despite growing adoption, crypto volatility could be a barrier for many central banks that prioritize stability.

Moreover, regulation of bitcoin on a global scale remains an open issue. Major economies will face delicate choices regarding monetary governance and transaction security. Nevertheless, the idea of bitcoin integrating central bank portfolios does not seem entirely unrealistic, provided that appropriate regulatory mechanisms emerge in the coming years.

In sum, bitcoin appears ready to play a central role in the global economy, with bold prospects for 2050. In the short term, some analysts even foresee that bitcoin could yield 100 % returns this year, thus strengthening its appeal to investors and its position in international economic discussions.