Standard Chartered Lowers Crypto Price Forecasts
Standard Chartered has revised its short-term and yearly price estimates for key cryptocurrencies. The adjustment comes as ETF outflows and a challenging macroeconomic environment continue to create uncertainty in the market.
Currently, analysts expect Bitcoin, priced at around $65,998, to trend downward, potentially settling near $50,000 in the coming months. Ether is likely to drop to about $1,400, with its current trading price around $1,923.
According to Jeff Kendrick, who leads digital asset research at the bank, the recent downturn may persist. Many ETF investors are facing losses, which could lead them to reduce their holdings instead of taking the risk to “buy the dip.”
Kendrick believes that a recovery might begin by the end of 2026. Analysts have also cut their year-end projections for Bitcoin from $150,000 to $100,000 and Ether from $7,500 to $4,000. Other notable adjustments include a drop for Solana from $250 to $135, BNB from $1,755 to $1,050, and Axie Infinity from $100 to $18.
The cryptocurrency market has seen a sharp decline, with Bitcoin down nearly 23% since the start of the year, largely due to increased volatility and risk-off sentiment. Cryptocurrencies are now perceived as more closely tied to stock market movements.
Concerns about global economic growth and interest rate forecasts have pushed investors toward safer assets like gold. Additionally, a lack of regulatory clarity in the U.S. has dampened investor confidence, contributing to lower trading revenues for crypto-related companies.
Kendrick noted that Bitcoin ETF holdings have decreased by nearly 100,000 BTC since reaching a peak in October 2025, with many investors now sitting on unrealized losses of about 25%, as the average purchase price is around $90,000.
Despite the downturn, Kendrick pointed out that the current drawdown is not as severe as previous market cycles. While Bitcoin hit a low in February, being down about 50% from its all-time high, roughly half of its supply remains profitable. Although the decline has been steep, it seems less dramatic than in past downturns.
Importantly, this cycle has not seen the collapse of any major crypto platforms, contrasting with the issues faced by Terra/Luna and FTX in 2022. Kendrick sees this as a sign of maturation and resilience within the asset class.
He has kept his long-term predictions intact, maintaining a target of $500,000 for Bitcoin and $40,000 for Ether by the end of 2030, affirming that fundamental usage trends have not changed.
Kendrick had already adjusted his optimistic Bitcoin outlook back in December.
