Bitcoin continues to struggle to find direction, as BTC USD trades near $68.7K. Bitcoin continues to remain 40-50% below its ATH, dragged down by persistent outflows from US spot ETFs and dangerously low liquidity. Meanwhile, banking giant Standard Chartered has officially reduced its price predictions for Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana. “We believe ETF holders are more likely to sell at the moment, leading to further downward pressure,” said Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research.
If you’ve looked at your wallet recently and felt a sinking feeling, you’re not alone looking at the red sea.
Additionally, Harvard Management Company, the entity that manages the entire endowment of the popular university, has decided not to abandon crypto, but to rotate. According to a 13F filing, the company reduced its Bitcoin ETF holdings by 21%, a new $86.8 million position in iShares Ethereum Trust. Notably, the Harvard Management Company had tripled its bet on bitcoin in 2025.
Is this a clear warning for us to prepare for more volatility? Could prices fall significantly before finding a bottom later this year?
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Standard Chartered warns that Bitcoin could slide towards $50,000 and Ethereum could reach almost $1,400
The bank’s revised figures for the coming years are gloomy compared to previous optimism. Bitcoin’s 2026 target has been reduced from $150,000 to $100,000. Ethereum’s 2026 target has been reduced from $7,500 to $4,000. XRP was reduced from $8.00 to $2.80, a harsh reality as XRP holders realize losses from panic selling during this downturn and Solana (SOL) was reduced from $250 to $135.
Standard Chartered just cut its BTC target, and it’s a major reality check.
• Target Cut: The bank lowered its 2026 forecast from $150,000 to $100,000, warning of a possible cut to $50,000 initially.
• Chain Pain: Long-term holder capitulation has reached levels not seen in… pic.twitter.com/wxfTrOOp9F
– Crypto Fundi (@cryptofundix) February 13, 2026
When an institution as large as Standard Chartered adjusts its outlook, the broader market tends to pay attention. Usually known for their bullish forecasts, their decision to cut targets indicates that big investors are feeling cautious. It’s not just about cryptographic charts; it’s about the economic situation as a whole.
As the crypto market’s exposure to macroeconomic turmoil persists, global interest rates and Federal Reserve policies are weighing heavily on risky assets. The bank’s analysts believe that the current “macroeconomic context” will not provide much help to cryptocurrency prices for several months. This confirms that even institutional actors expect a period of “cleaning up” before the next step.
Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, did not sugarcoat the near-term outlook. Kendrick warned that Bitcoin could slide towards $50,000 and Ethereum could bottom near $1,400. This fits with current fears, as Ethereum’s drop from nearly $2,000 has already presented a challenging landscape for holders.
Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick’s prediction that XRP would hit $8 by the end of 2026 is making the rounds again
pic.twitter.com/ZpHNIVgOpj
– Zach Rector (@ZachRector7) December 28, 2025
Kendrick notes that huge institutional investors holding Bitcoin ETFs are currently more likely to sell than buy during the dip.
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What this means for crypto investors
Context is vital here. Standard Chartered still predicts that Bitcoin could recover to reach $200,000 by 2027. The immediate future, however, requires patience and composure. As noted in the Bitcoin Volatility and HODLer Psychology discussions, these sharp declines often test your conviction just before a rally.
Additionally, the bank suggests that the macroeconomic environment could improve around May, assuming Kevin Warsh takes over at the Federal Reserve. Even though the short term seems challenging, the long-term thesis for crypto remains intact.
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Key takeaways
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Citing only the recent $410 million ETF outflows, analyst Geoff Kendrick reduced his targets for 2026, warning that BTC could test $50,000 and ETH could fall to $1,400 before any recovery.
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The crypto market remains in a fragile state of discovery following the early February correction.
The article Why is crypto down today? The post Bitcoin ETF Outflows Hit $410M as Standard BTC, ETH, SOL and XRP Targets appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
