Standard Chartered Bank, a long-time supporter of Bitcoin, is now warning that the cryptocurrency could temporarily fall below the $100,000 mark before making a strong comeback. Despite their usual optimism, the bank’s chief analyst, Geoff Kendick, believes a short-term dip is likely—but still expects Bitcoin to hit $200,000 by the end of the year.

Kendick points to several key factors influencing this outlook: investor behavior, ongoing inflows into Bitcoin ETFs, and a shift in investment from gold to BTC. However, he also highlights rising tensions between the U.S. and China as a major risk that could put pressure on global markets, including crypto.

Bitcoin has been hovering between $105,000 and $110,000 in recent days. Some experts see this as a sign that it’s finding a stable bottom. Kendick agrees there might be a drop below $100,000 soon, but says it won’t last long. He expects the market to bounce back quickly and push Bitcoin to new all-time highs later in the year.

One of the main drivers behind this potential rally is the growing popularity of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These financial products make it easier for everyday investors to buy into crypto markets. At the same time, some traditional gold investors are beginning to switch their focus to Bitcoin as a digital alternative.

But not everything is looking up. Crypto-related stocks have taken a hit recently. For example, MicroStrategy (MSTR), one of the biggest public companies holding Bitcoin, saw its stock drop 7% in a single day. Ethereum-focused Bitmine Immersion (BMNR) also lost 7%. Bitcoin mining firms like Bitfarms (BITF) and Cipher Mining experienced even bigger losses, down around 12%.

These drops come after months of strong performance in the crypto sector. Many mining companies had benefited from excitement around using their computing power for artificial intelligence (AI) projects. Now, that rally appears to be cooling off.

So what’s next for Bitcoin? The market is currently under pressure, but there’s also potential for a breakout. At around $110,000, Bitcoin is still showing signs of strength. Weekdays tend to see more influence from institutional players and ETFs, while weekends are driven by retail investors—and occasionally by unexpected political statements from figures like former President Donald Trump.

Friday’s upcoming U.S. inflation data release could also shake things up. Depending on whether inflation comes in higher or lower than expected, Bitcoin’s price could react strongly in either direction.

In short, while short-term volatility might push Bitcoin below $100,000, strong market fundamentals—like ETF growth and shifting investor interest—could still drive it toward the $200,000 mark by year-end. Investors should stay alert and keep an eye on broader economic and geopolitical trends that may influence crypto prices in the coming weeks.

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