The Currency analytics
By Bruce Buterin
Standard Chartered delivers a grim prediction. Bitcoin could plunge to $50,000, according to Geoff Kendrick, their head of crypto research.
Kendrick sees a bleak outlook due to the U.S. economic slowdown and diminishing hopes for rate cuts. The Fed is less generous than expected, weighing heavily on cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum isn't spared from the carnage. Kendrick predicts it will drop to $1,400 before stabilizing.
Bitcoin is currently hovering around $67,869, far from its weekly low of $60,008. The bank has slashed its year-end forecasts by a third, lowering the 2026 target to $100,000…
The current correction is already causing significant damage. Bitcoin has lost up to 50% since its peak in October 2025, with a dramatic low on February 5.
Interest rates remain a major hurdle for cryptocurrencies.
Markets have pushed back their expectations for Fed easing. Investors now see a first rate cut later in the year, not before.
ETF flows are a serious concern for Standard Chartered. Bitcoin holdings in ETFs have shrunk by nearly 100,000 BTC since their peak in October 2025.
Despite this downward revision, the bank maintains a positive long-term outlook. Kendrick notes that blockchain usage data continues to improve.
Last December, Standard Chartered had already halved its forecasts. Bitcoin at $100,000 by the end of 2025 and $150,000 by the end of 2026, while keeping a wild target of…
The bank then cited the decline in corporate treasury demand and the slowdown in ETF flows. Geoffrey Kendrick had stated that corporate accumulation had "run its course," leaving…
Bitcoin is currently trading near $67,000 according to Bitcoin Magazine Pro. CoinMarketCap data shows that transaction volume fell by 20% in February compared to the previous…
Kendrick also mentioned the impact of Chinese economic developments on market instability. Government restrictions on crypto transactions create notable disruptions, influencing…
On February 10, 2026, Janet Yellen reaffirmed during a press conference that any decision on rates would be made cautiously.
JPMorgan released a report on February 15 with forecasts similar to Standard Chartered. They anticipate critical support around $55,000 for Bitcoin, due to increased volatility…