Calamos Investments CEO John Koudounis Says Bitcoin Will Hit $1M by 2030
Calamos CEO says Bitcoin will hit $1M by 2030
John Koudounis, CEO of investment firm Calamos Investments, says Bitcoin will reach $1 million by 2030. He shared this prediction in an interview with Bitcoin Magazine published on October 9, 2026, noting that he is standing by a call he made previously. Koudounis pointed to institutional banks lending against Bitcoin and the growth of Bitcoin ETFs — investment funds that track Bitcoin's price and trade on stock exchanges — as the main forces that could push the price higher.
He also expects a period of significant institutional adoption through 2028, calling it a "huge awakening" for Bitcoin. He said Calamos spent about eight years researching Bitcoin before deciding to invest in it.
Arguments behind the prediction
- Koudounis said falling Bitcoin volatility and bank lending against Bitcoin holdings are key reasons institutions are showing more interest.
- Calamos has launched what he described as the world's first downside-protected Bitcoin ETF, with protection levels at 100%, 90%, and 80%. A downside-protected ETF is designed to limit losses when Bitcoin's price drops.
- He discussed why many financial advisors still avoid Bitcoin despite growing institutional activity.
- The interview covered the Clarity Act and Bitcoin's classification as a commodity.
- Koudounis compared Bitcoin to gold, arguing that Bitcoin's fixed supply limit gives it an advantage over gold, whose supply is scarce but not strictly capped.
- The interview also touched on capital controls, Cyprus, and debanking.
What is confirmed by the interview
John Koudounis is the CEO of Calamos Investments. He made the $1 million prediction in an interview published by Bitcoin Magazine on October 9, 2026. At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at approximately $82,973. Calamos Investments has developed downside-protected Bitcoin ETF products, according to the interview.
A prediction, not a proven outcome
The $1 million price target and the 2030 timeline are Koudounis's personal forecast, not a confirmed result. The interview does not include a detailed mathematical model showing how Bitcoin could reach that level. His view that institutional adoption will accelerate through 2028 reflects his opinion on market direction, not an announced plan or regulatory action.
Why a traditional firm building Bitcoin ETFs is notable
Koudounis leads a firm that manages institutional and individual client assets. Calamos's decision to create Bitcoin-focused ETF products shows a traditional financial institution building tools to give its clients access to Bitcoin. The concept of downside-protected ETFs is designed to address one of the main concerns traditional advisors have about Bitcoin: its price volatility.
Source
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.