Standard Chartered has slashed its year-end cryptocurrency forecasts, projecting Bitcoin (BTC) could fall to $50,000 and Ethereum (ETH) to $1,400 in a "capitulation" over the coming months before recovering by the end of 2026.
What Happened: Bank Cuts Crypto Forecasts
In a new report, Standard Chartered said it expects further price declines across digital assets in the near term. The bank lowered its end-2026 Bitcoin target to $100,000 from $150,000 and its Ethereum forecast to $4,000 from $7,500.
The report cited declining ETF holdings — with the average BTC ETF position now down roughly 25% — and a worsening macro backdrop as key drivers. Markets expect no further rate cuts until Kevin Warsh takes over as Federal Reserve chair in June, which Standard Chartered said makes ETF holders more likely to sell than buy the dip.
The bank noted, however, that its long-term forecasts through 2030 remain unchanged. It also pointed out that this sell-off has not triggered the collapse of any digital asset platforms, unlike 2022, suggesting the asset class is becoming more resilient.
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Why It Matters: Deeper Downturn Ahead
Standard Chartered's call for a near-term bottom at $50,000 for Bitcoin and $1,400 for Ethereum would still represent a smaller drawdown than previous cycles, according to the report. The bank expects other digital assets to broadly follow the majors lower before a second-half recovery brings prices back to its revised targets.
The forecast carries weight because it comes from one of the most prominent traditional banks covering digital assets. If realized, the projected decline would test investor conviction across the crypto market at a time when macroeconomic uncertainty continues to weigh on risk appetite.
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