Standard Chartered has adjusted its cryptocurrency price forecasts, indicating that Bitcoin could slide toward $50,000 and Ether to about $1,400 before any sustained recovery takes hold, as ongoing outflows from spot exchange-traded funds and wider economic pressures continue to weigh on digital asset markets. The global bank trimmed its end-2026 price targets for both flagship cryptocurrencies, acknowledging that near-term capitulation remains a tangible risk even as longer-term fundamentals are still viewed as supportive of eventual upside. Geoffrey Kendrick, head of digital asset research at the bank, warned that current dynamics in institutional flows and investor positioning suggest further weakness may unfold in coming months. Bitcoin, which has been trading well below its October all-time high following a pronounced market downturn, has encountered renewed selling pressure as holders of spot Bitcoin ETFs increasingly find themselves in unrealised loss positions. Standard Chartered’s analysis highlights that holdings across key Bitcoin ETFs have declined by nearly 100,000 tokens from their peak, exerting liquidity stress that could drive prices lower before stabilising. This reduction in ETF holdings effectively reduces institutional buying support at a time when broader risk appetite in financial markets has softened, with volatility in equities and other risk assets adding to investor caution.
The bank now projects Bitcoin could finish 2026 around $100,000, down from its earlier forecast of $150,000, and has likewise slashed its Ether year-end target to approximately $4,000 from $7,500 previously. The revised outlook anticipates that both assets may endure further declines before finding a price floor that paves the way for renewed accumulation. According to Standard Chartered, Ether markets face similar structural headwinds as Bitcoin, with ETF outflows and macroeconomic uncertainty contributing to weaker sentiment across the crypto ecosystem.
Market data from this week reflects these pressures: Bitcoin’s price has oscillated around $70,000, retreating from the lows near $60,000 seen earlier in the month. A sustained rebound has been elusive, partly due to persistent outflows from leading Bitcoin ETFs such as the iShares Bitcoin Trust and others, which have collectively registered significant redemptions. Investors who entered these ETFs at higher price levels are now confronted with paper losses, reinforcing a behavioural dynamic where selling into weakness could outweigh buying activity.
Broader market indicators suggest that the crypto sector continues to grapple with weak sentiment. Major digital asset-related stocks, including those of companies with large Bitcoin holdings, have reported steep losses in recent quarterly results. For instance, a prominent corporate holder posted an expanded loss linked to the mark-to-market valuation of its Bitcoin inventory, underscoring how declines in cryptocurrency prices have weighed on balance sheets and investor expectations.
Analysts tracking exchange-traded product flows point to persistent net outflows since late last year, a trend that has eroded the support previously provided by institutional investors. These outflows, coupled with a lack of fresh capital inflows, have contributed to increased volatility and wider trading ranges for both Bitcoin and Ether. The effect has been amplified by shifts in broader financial markets, where tightening monetary conditions and slowing economic growth have dampened risk asset demand.
Despite the cautious tone in the near term, some market observers argue that the current phase could offer strategic entry opportunities for longer-term investors. Technical analyses indicate that key support levels remain critical to monitor, with breaks below these thresholds potentially triggering accelerated selling, while stabilisation above them could signal a tentative floor. The interplay between macroeconomic developments, regulatory clarity, and institutional participation will be pivotal in shaping price trajectories heading into the latter part of the year.
Topics
Cryptocurrency