TLDR
- Standard Chartered predicts Bitcoin could drop to $50,000 and Ethereum to $1,400 in the coming months
- The bank lowered its year-end 2026 targets to $100,000 for Bitcoin and $4,000 for Ethereum
- Bitcoin ETF holdings have declined by nearly 100,000 BTC since October 2025, with average purchase price around $90,000
- The Crypto Fear and Greed Index hit 8, indicating extreme fear among investors
- Bitcoin has dropped almost 23% since the start of 2026, currently trading around $66,000-$67,000
Bitcoin price rose 2.49% in the last 24 hours to $67,865.57. However, the cryptocurrency has shed 27% from its recent highs around the $90,000 mark.
Standard Chartered has revised its outlook for the cryptocurrency market. The investment bank now expects Bitcoin to fall to around $50,000 in the coming months.
Geoffrey Kendrick heads digital assets research at Standard Chartered. He believes the current macroeconomic environment won’t provide much support in the near term.
STANCHART CUTS BITCOIN TARGET, WARNS OF FURTHER DROPS
Standard Chartered slashed its end-2026 Bitcoin target to $100,000 from $150,000, its second cut in three months, and warned prices could fall to $50,000 before recovering.
The bank cited ETF outflows, a weaker macro… pic.twitter.com/xZQTfT5bNt
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) February 12, 2026
The bank also predicts Ethereum could drop to $1,400 before any recovery takes hold. These price levels represent potential bottoming points before a rebound later in 2026.
Standard Chartered lowered its year-end 2026 target for Bitcoin to $100,000 from a previous target of $150,000. The Ethereum target was reduced to $4,000 from $7,500.
The bank also cut forecasts for other cryptocurrencies. Solana’s target dropped to $135 from $250. BNB Chain was reduced to $1,050 from $1,755.
ETF Outflows Drive Bearish Outlook
Bitcoin ETF holdings have declined by nearly 100,000 BTC from their October 2025 peak. Kendrick noted that the average ETF purchase price sits around $90,000.
Many ETF investors are sitting on unrealized losses of roughly 25%. These investors are more likely to reduce exposure than buy the dip, according to Kendrick.
The cryptocurrency market has weakened sharply in early 2026. Bitcoin has dropped almost 23% since the start of the year.
The total cryptocurrency market capitalization increased 1.54% to $2.31 trillion. Despite this slight recovery, uncertainty still looms over short-term sentiment.
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index currently sits at 8. This signals extreme fear among investors.
The index hit a historic low of 5 on February 6, 2026. The current reading indicates heightened concern due to volatile market conditions.
Technical Indicators Point to Continued Pressure
Bitcoin was trading at $66,277 at the time of reporting. This reflected a decline of 1.15% in the last 24 hours.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 38.62, below the neutral 50-point level. The MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) shows negative momentum.
The MACD line sits below the signal line. This indicates continued bearish pressure in the market.
If Bitcoin fails to break above the $70,000 level, it could test support near $65,000. A drop below this area may lead to further falls toward the $60,000 mark.
Ethereum traded around $1,980, testing key support levels. The second-largest cryptocurrency remains above $1,900 but below the psychological $2,000 level.
Macro pressures include concerns about global growth and interest-rate outlooks. Markets don’t expect interest-rate cuts before Kevin Warsh’s first Federal Open Market Committee meeting as Federal Reserve chair in mid-June.
Despite the bearish short-term outlook, Kendrick maintained the bank’s longer-term projections. Standard Chartered’s end-2030 targets remain at $500,000 for Bitcoin and $40,000 for Ethereum.
