Perplexity AI predicts the final battle of 2025: Bitcoin aiming for $230,000? XRP expected to hit a high of $8.

As the market searches for direction during a deep adjustment, artificial intelligence provides us with another dimension of thought. ChatGPT's strong competitor Perplexity AI recently released price scenario forecasts for XRP, Pi Network, and Bitcoin for the end of 2025 to the beginning of 2026, depicting a spectrum from extreme optimism to deep pessimism. According to their analysis, Bitcoin could soar to $230,000 or fall deeply to $75,000; XRP is expected to hit highs of $8 but could also stay around $2; and Pi Coin faces a fork in the road, potentially doubling to $0.48 or continuing to dip to $0.18. These predictions are not set in stone, but they provide a valuable framework for understanding the macro variables and potential catalysts facing the current market.

When AI Becomes a “Market Analyst”: The Predictive Logic and Scenario Value of Perplexity

In the information-overloaded, emotion-driven crypto market, AI tools are being used more frequently to assist in analysis and forecasting. The price outlook released by Perplexity AI does not provide a single certain target, but rather derives multiple possible “scenarios” based on learning from existing market data, macroeconomic indicators, project fundamentals, and historical patterns. The core value of this approach lies in its ability to help investors think systematically about the range in which asset prices may operate under different external conditions, such as regulatory policies, macroeconomics, and market liquidity.

Perplexity clearly pointed out in its forecast that the market may face a period of increased volatility in December. This is due to two key backgrounds: first, the cryptocurrency market itself has experienced a deep correction triggered by the selling of Bitcoin in the past month, leading to weak market sentiment; second, there is immense uncertainty at the macro level, such as the potential interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan that could trigger a tightening of global liquidity. The AI analysis quantifies this uncertainty into specific price paths, whether it is Bitcoin retreating from its historical high of $126,080 in October, or XRP still being trapped in consolidation after receiving ETF approval, both becoming input data for constructing “optimistic” and “pessimistic” scenarios.

For investors, the key to understanding such AI predictions is to view them as “stress tests” or “scenario simulations,” rather than investment guides. It reveals how strong the amplifying effect of market sentiment can be when specific catalysts (such as more ETF approvals or the U.S. passing a comprehensive crypto bill) or risks (such as continued large-scale sell-offs or regulatory crackdowns) emerge. This prompts us to go beyond simple bullish/bearish perspectives and to take a deeper look at the solidity of each project's fundamentals and the potential changes in the external environment.

Perplexity AI 2025 Year-End Price Scenario Forecast Overview

Bitcoin (BTC)

• Current background: After recently reaching a historic high of 126,080 USD, it has retraced, accounting for about 1.7 trillion USD of the global total cryptocurrency market cap of approximately 3.02 trillion USD.
• Optimistic Scenario: Under conditions of easing inflation, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and the United States passing comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation, it is expected to reach $230,000 in early 2026.
• Pessimistic Scenario: If there is further large-scale selling, it may fall deeply to 75,000 dollars, indicating a long winter.

XRP (XRP)

• Current background: Trading in the 2-3 dollar range, RSI reached an oversold 27; in July this year, it surged to 3.65 dollars due to a lawsuit victory.
• Optimistic Scenario: Benefiting from the approval of 9 spot XRP ETFs bringing institutional fund inflows, the price may hit 8 dollars.
• Pessimistic Scenario: If risk appetite does not recover, it may remain around 2 dollars until the end of the year.

Pi Network (PI)

• Current Background: Trading at about $0.22, showing resilience against fall; Recently partnered with AI company OpenMind, significantly enhancing testnet functionality.
• Optimistic Scenario: Under positive conditions, the price could more than double, reaching $0.48.
• Pessimistic Scenario: In a pessimistic environment, it may further dip to 0.18 USD.

Bitcoin at the Crossroads: The “Institutionalization” Narrative of Digital Gold Faces Stress Test

As the anchor of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin's trend always dominates the emotions and direction of the entire market. The extreme prediction range depicted by Perplexity AI from $75,000 to $230,000 precisely reflects the contradictory situation of the current market. On one hand, the long-term narrative of “digital gold” and “institutional asset allocation” has never been so solid, with ETF products from giants like BlackRock already incorporated into the global mainstream financial system. The potential interest rate cut cycle of the Federal Reserve may improve global liquidity, providing support for risk assets, which is the core macro driving force pushing towards the optimistic scenario of $230,000.

However, on the other hand, Bitcoin is also facing the most severe challenge since the approval of the ETF. After experiencing a violent rise, the market needs to digest the early massive profit-taking, and the subtle changes in the global liquidity environment (especially the shift of the Bank of Japan) have cast doubt on the logic of “cheap funds” that supports its high valuation. If macro headwinds persist and market risk aversion increases, Bitcoin's attribute as a highly volatile risk asset may temporarily overshadow its safe-haven properties, leading to a pessimistic scenario where the price slips to $75,000. This position will test the faith of long-term holders and institutions and will define the starting point of a new cycle.

It is worth noting that AI predictions view the “U.S. passing comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation” as a key catalyst for achieving an optimistic scenario. This points to a deeper issue that transcends short-term price fluctuations: the long-term value of Bitcoin and the entire cryptocurrency market ultimately depends on the position it gains within mainstream financial and legal frameworks. The current price adjustments may be the market building momentum for the next round of growth driven by clearer regulations and broader adoption.

XRP and Pi Network: Can Fundamental Evolution Withstand the Macroeconomic Chill?

Compared to the macro narrative of Bitcoin, the price predictions for XRP and Pi Network are more closely tied to their respective fundamental developments and ecosystem construction.

For XRP, 2025 is a milestone year. After achieving a key victory in the legal battle with the SEC, it subsequently received approval for a spot ETF, making it the first mainstream asset to receive this treatment outside of Bitcoin and Ethereum, which is a significant institutional breakthrough. Perplexity AI's optimistic prediction of $8 is based on the core logic that the ETF will open the floodgates for traditional institutional capital inflow, recreating the capital effect seen during the early days of Bitcoin ETF listings. However, the pessimistic scenario (maintaining at $2) also reminds us that the approval of financial products does not equate to an immediate influx of capital; during periods of overall low market risk appetite, positive news may be temporarily overlooked. Whether XRP can break free from the current consolidation range of $2-3 depends on whether its ecological applications can achieve substantial expansion by leveraging new compliance advantages.

For the Pi Network, a niche but community-rich project, its predictions more reflect the market's wait-and-see attitude towards its ability to achieve the critical leap from “mining application to practical ecosystem.” The recent collaboration with AI company OpenMind demonstrates the potential of its node network to convert into actual computing power resources, which is a positive DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) narrative. The addition of support for DeFi primitives such as DEX and AMM on the testnet also marks its progress towards a fully functional blockchain ecosystem. These fundamental improvements form the basis for its possible doubling to $0.48. However, uncertainties regarding its tokenomics model, the comprehensive opening of the mainnet, and the potential selling pressure from its large user base remain potential factors hindering its price increase, which explains why it may continue to experience a downward trend in a pessimistic scenario.

Beyond Prediction: Market Insights and Rational Investment Thinking from an AI Perspective

The ultimate goal of this set of predictions from Perplexity AI should not be to make us entangled in whether “Bitcoin will reach 230,000 or 75,000,” but to provide us with a structured tool to think about the current market situation. It clearly reveals several key points:

First, the market is at a highly sensitive and fragile balance point. The extremely wide prediction range indicates that the current price level has significant elastic potential, and any major macro news or industry event could trigger a severe one-sided trend. Second, the interaction between project fundamentals and the macro environment is crucial. The ETF for XRP and the partnership with Pi are positive for the fundamentals, but whether its value can be released heavily depends on the global market's risk appetite (macro environment). Third, liquidity is the core variable at this stage. Whether it is the direction of the Bank of Japan or the Federal Reserve's policies, all predictive scenarios are fundamentally driven by the assessment of global capital costs and liquidity availability.

The implication for investors is that, during a period of intense competition between bullish and bearish factors, maintaining flexibility is more important than sticking to a single direction. One can set corresponding key observation indicators and response strategies for their held assets based on the optimistic/pessimistic scenarios provided by AI. For example, regarding Bitcoin, one can observe whether it can stabilize at key support levels (such as the $85,000-$90,000 range) to determine if the risk of a pessimistic scenario is reduced; for XRP, closely track the initial capital inflow data of its ETF products as an early signal of whether the optimistic narrative can be realized.