Bitcoin’s $100K Test: Standard Chartered Sees Buying Opportunity

Geoff Kendrick, head of digital asset research at Standard Chartered PLC, has issued a cautious near-term outlook for Bitcoin, predicting the cryptocurrency could briefly fall below the $100,000 mark. According to Kendrick, intensifying global risks—particularly escalating U.S.-China trade tensions—are creating headwinds that could trigger this temporary correction. Despite the bearish short-term prediction, Kendrick frames any potential drop as a strategic “buying opportunity,” asserting this may be “the last time Bitcoin is EVER below” the psychological $100,000 threshold.

The analysis points to shifting capital flows as evidence of Bitcoin’s growing structural appeal, noting rotation from traditional safe havens like gold into the digital asset. Kendrick cites technical indicators, including the 50-week moving average, as meaningful support zones that could limit the depth and duration of any downturn. This technical foundation adds credence to his view that the correction would be short-lived rather than signaling a fundamental breakdown in Bitcoin’s market structure.

Beyond the immediate correction risks, Standard Chartered’s analysis reveals a strongly supportive macroeconomic backdrop for Bitcoin’s longer-term trajectory. Analysts note that global M2 money supply growth accounts for a significant portion of Bitcoin’s historical price variance, highlighting the asset’s evolving role beyond speculative cryptocurrency trading. This relationship underscores Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against currency debasement and portfolio diversifier rather than purely a speculative vehicle.

As central banks continue to inject liquidity into global financial systems, Bitcoin’s correlation with broader money-supply trends reinforces its value proposition as a non-sovereign store of value. Furthermore, institutional interest and on-chain activity remain elevated, suggesting that any near-term pullback could represent a healthy mid-cycle reset rather than a structural reversal. The combination of expanding monetary bases and sustained institutional participation provides a solid foundation for Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation narrative.

For practical investment strategy, Standard Chartered advises investors to brace for potential near-term downside around or below $100,000 while maintaining focus on key support levels and macroeconomic catalysts. Despite the short-term caution, Kendrick maintains his bullish price targets of $200,000 by year-end and $500,000 by 2028, suggesting that any current dip could represent an optimal long-term entry point for strategic positioning.

The market remains exposed to several external factors that could trigger more substantial movement, including trade-war developments between the United States and China, Federal Reserve policy surprises, and broader liquidity shocks. However, Standard Chartered’s analysis positions any dip below $100,000 as potentially “the last major shopping window” before Bitcoin’s next significant leg higher. This perspective encourages investors to view volatility through a strategic lens rather than as a reason for panic, emphasizing the asset’s strong fundamental drivers amid temporary market dislocations.