10T Holdings founder Dan Tapiero laid out a bullish view for crypto, saying Bitcoin could reach $180,000 in the current cycle and identifying $115,000 as the level that matters most in the near term. His argument is tied to a classic cup-and-handle pattern, which he said is taking shape on the chart and could open the door to a sharp move higher if Bitcoin breaks through resistance.
$115,000 highlighted as the chart level to watch
Tapiero framed the setup in technical terms, saying Bitcoin is forming a cup-and-handle structure. Traders often treat that pattern as bullish, but only if price clears resistance convincingly. In his view, $115,000 is the key threshold. A breakout above that area could change the pace of the rally.
The report also noted that this view is not isolated. JPMorgan recently projected that Bitcoin could climb to $170,000 over the next 6 to 12 months.
Rate cuts and AI spending sit at the center of his macro case
Tapiero also tied his outlook to broader macro conditions. He pointed to two drivers: an easing cycle from major central banks and heavy investment in AI infrastructure by governments and companies. The first could support risk assets through looser monetary conditions. The second, in his view, could lift the wider technology sector and digital assets alongside it.
His strongest conviction, though, was not limited to Bitcoin’s price target. He placed even more emphasis on stablecoins.
Stablecoin volume rose from $19.7 trillion to $33 trillion
According to figures cited in the report, stablecoin transaction volume increased from $19.7 trillion in 2024 to $33 trillion in 2025, a year-over-year gain of 67%. Tapiero said that trend shows stablecoins moving beyond a crypto-native settlement tool and becoming more deeply tied to traditional financial payment systems.
He said financial institutions are building ecosystems around stablecoin payment rails and looking for ways to integrate them into their businesses. The report also referenced moves by Visa and Mastercard to support stablecoins, which is why Tapiero sees infrastructure and stablecoin adoption as the biggest investment opportunity in 2026.
BTC, ETH and SOL named as preferred exposure
On positioning, Tapiero pointed to BTC, ETH and SOL as the three assets he would focus on. At the same time, he expressed caution toward the rise of crypto treasury companies, especially businesses built around holding Bitcoin as a balance-sheet strategy. His assessment was direct: “These companies have no moat.”
The report added that analyst forecasts for Bitcoin in 2026 currently span roughly $130,000 to $200,000. It also cited Polymarket data showing a 21% chance of Bitcoin reaching $150,000 by year-end.