Standard Chartered Slashes Bitcoin Price Target to $100K
What happened
Standard Chartered has slashed its 2026 Bitcoin price target to $100,000, down from previous, more bullish forecasts. The bank cited ongoing spot ETF outflows and investor anxiety over U.S. Federal Reserve policy as key reasons for the downward revision.
Why it matters
- This is the second significant reduction to the bank's 2026 forecast in the last few months; in December 2025, the target was lowered from $300,000 to $150,000. - Geoff Kendrick, the bank's head of digital assets research, also warned that Bitcoin could first drop to as low as $50,000 before a potential rebound. - The bank's analysts estimate that Bitcoin ETF holdings have declined by nearly 100,000 BTC since their peak in October 2025. - With an average purchase price near $90,000, many ETF investors are now holding significant unrealized losses, which the bank believes makes further selling more likely. - Standard Chartered also revised its year-end 2026 price target for Ethereum, cutting it from $7,500 to $4,000. - The downgrade is also influenced by macroeconomic factors, as markets no longer anticipate U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts before a potential leadership change in June. - Despite the near-term bearish outlook, the bank's long-term forecast remains unchanged, projecting Bitcoin could reach $500,000 by 2030.
Key numbers
- Standard Chartered has slashed its 2026 Bitcoin price target to $100,000, down from previous, more bullish forecasts.
- - This is the second significant reduction to the bank's 2026 forecast in the last few months; in December 2025, the target was lowered from $300,000 to $150,000.
- Geoff Kendrick, the bank's head of digital assets research, also warned that Bitcoin could first drop to as low as $50,000 before a potential rebound.
- The bank's analysts estimate that Bitcoin ETF holdings have declined by nearly 100,000 BTC since their peak in October 2025.
What happens next
- This is the second significant reduction to the bank's 2026 forecast in the last few months; in December 2025, the target was lowered from $300,000 to $150,000.
- Geoff Kendrick, the bank's head of digital assets research, also warned that Bitcoin could first drop to as low as $50,000 before a potential rebound.
- Standard Chartered also revised its year-end 2026 price target for Ethereum, cutting it from $7,500 to $4,000.
Quick answers
What happened in Standard Chartered Slashes Bitcoin Price Target to $100K?
Standard Chartered has slashed its 2026 Bitcoin price target to $100,000, down from previous, more bullish forecasts. The bank cited ongoing spot ETF outflows and investor anxiety over U.S. Federal Reserve policy as key reasons for the downward revision.
Why does Standard Chartered Slashes Bitcoin Price Target to $100K matter?
This is the second significant reduction to the bank's 2026 forecast in the last few months; in December 2025, the target was lowered from $300,000 to $150,000. Geoff Kendrick, the bank's head of digital assets research, also warned that Bitcoin could first drop to as low as $50,000 before a potential rebound. The bank's analysts estimate that Bitcoin ETF holdings have declined by nearly 100,000 BTC since their peak in October 2025. With an average purchase price near $90,000, many ETF investors are now holding significant unrealized losses, which the bank believes makes further selling more likely. Standard Chartered also revised its year-end 2026 price target for Ethereum, cutting it from $7,500 to $4,000. The downgrade is also influenced by macroeconomic factors, as markets no longer anticipate U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts before a potential leadership change in June. Despite the near-term bearish outlook, the bank's long-term forecast remains unchanged, projecting Bitcoin could reach $500,000 by 2030.
