Crypto crash ahead: Why Standard Chartered predicts Bitcoin (BTC USD) will drop to $50,000, Ether (ETH) to $1,400 and lowered altcoins price target

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins price prediction: Cryptocurrency investors may be in for a bumpy ride this year. Standard Chartered has lowered its short-term and full-year forecasts for major cryptocurrencies, citing a combination of ETF outflows and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop that continues to weigh on the market, as per a report.

Bitcoin (BTC USD) and Ether (ETH) Price Predictions for 2026

The bank now expects bitcoin to drop to around $50,000 in the coming months, while ether could potentially fall to about $1,400, as per a CoinDesk report.

Why ETF Outflows Are Pressuring Crypto Markets

Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, noted that many ETF investors, sitting on losses, are more likely to reduce their exposure rather than “buy the dip,” which could prolong the selloff.


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Revised Year-End Price Targets for Bitcoin, Ether, and Altcoins

Once prices stabilize, Kendrick expects a recovery later in 2026. Year-end targets were also revised downward: bitcoin from $150,000 to $100,000, ether from $7,500 to $4,000, Solana from $250 to $135, BNB Chain from $1,755 to $1,050, and Avalanche from $100 to $18, as per the CoinDesk report.

Crypto Market Volatility Hits Hard in Early 2026

The early months of 2026 have been tough for the crypto market, with bitcoin down nearly 23% since the start of the year. Heightened volatility, liquidations of leveraged positions, and broad risk-off sentiment have pushed investors toward traditional safe havens like gold. Stalled US regulatory clarity and liquidity pressures at certain institutions have also weighed on confidence, contributing to reduced trading revenues across crypto firms.

Despite the downward pressure, Standard Chartered points out that this cycle has not seen the collapse of major crypto platforms, unlike the 2022 failures of Terra/Luna and FTX, as per the CoinDesk report.

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Long-Term Crypto Outlook: Bitcoin $500K and Ether $40K by 2030

About half of bitcoin supply remains in profit, indicating resilience in the market. The bank maintains its long-term projections, with bitcoin expected to reach $500,000 and ether $40,000 by 2030, as usage trends and structural drivers remain intact, as per the CoinDesk report.

FAQs

Why did Standard Chartered lower crypto forecasts for 2026?

ETF outflows and a tough macroeconomic environment are creating downside pressure on the market.

How low could BTC and ETH fall in the coming months?

Bitcoin may drop to around $50,000 and ether could fall to about $1,400.