- Bitcoin could hit $1 million in two years, with $200,000 possible by year-end, says Scott Melker and Gary Cardone.
- Institutional capital inflow and simplified regulations are driving long-term adoption.
- Retail investors risk losses chasing hyped Bitcoin stocks instead of directly accumulating BTC.
Bitcoin’s next price jump is closer than anticipated, as recently suggested in a discussion between Scott Melker, The Wolf of All Streets, and Gary Cardone.
In a joint podcast, Cardone said that Bitcoin can hit $1 million in two years. He is confident that $200,000 is doable in the current year, based on institutional demand and the maturing regulatory structure.
The interview was conducted when Bitcoin registered its seventh all-time high in 2025. As Cardone said, the market is in an accumulation mode, in which investors are buying dips very actively.
He pointed out that earlier cycles were driven by retail investors making deposits of sizes such as $10,000. High-net-worth individuals and institutions are coming in, making initial investments of the order of $100 million or higher.
Melker highlighted the convenience of getting into Bitcoin today due to enhanced access through ETFs and the advent of a crypto-friendly political environment. Also, Matt Hougan characterized the current cycle as the best risk-adjusted buy period for Bitcoin, owing to factors such as legislation as well as mainstream financial backing.
Also Read: Bitcoin Cup-and-Handle Breakout Nears $118K: Is $150K the Next Target?
Why Waiting Could Be a $1 Million Mistake
Cardone argued that investors waiting for higher entry points will ultimately miss the move. He described Bitcoin as being in a “pressure keg,” where latent volatility is setting the stage for explosive price appreciation. Melker agreed, noting that the market still hasn’t factored in the size of the institutional capital on the sidelines.
He noted that platforms such as Vanguard continue to deny access to Bitcoin spot ETFs, keeping trillions of dollars in low-yield investments.
Institutions are attracted to a 10–20% per annum return on Bitcoin compared to spot markets. More definitive rules on taxation and smoother auditability are also dissolving friction, attracting legacy investors accustomed to long-dated timescales.
As institutions become more confident, Melker warned retail investors who try to time entries will miss them. He cautioned against waiting for large corrections, stating that dollar-cost averaging is the prudent choice in the current cycle.
Retail Chasing Hype Could Face Heavy Losses
As Bitcoin takes off, Melker warned against rushing into BTC-related stocks that are trading in premiums. Treasury-backed stocks such as BMNR have risen thousands of percentage points but lack fundamental basics. He likened the present frenzy to the 2017 ICO craze in which insiders made money while retail was left in the lurch.
Melker recommended targeting BTC directly. He outlined that much long-term wealth is created through disciplined building and not trading hot assets or overleveraging. Even high-profile companies such as MicroStrategy are to be viewed as trades rather than core positions.
Melker and Cardone again emphasized secure storage and proper custody. Whereas institutions are relying on custodians like BNY Mellon, retail investors need to as well through methods like 2FA and cold storage.
Also Read: Bitcoin at Crossroads: $150K Breakout or $100K Crash Ahead?
