Bitcoin’s Resilient Ascent: Standard Chartered Foresees $200K Despite Market Turmoil

The cryptocurrency market recently experienced significant turbulence, marked by a substantial $19 billion liquidation event. However, amidst this volatility, a bold **price prediction** has emerged from a major financial institution. Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, maintains that **Bitcoin** could still surge to an astonishing $200,000 by the end of the year. This optimistic outlook offers a compelling counter-narrative to the recent **market crash**, suggesting that the current downturn might present a strategic buying opportunity for astute investors.

Standard Chartered’s Bold Bitcoin Price Prediction

Geoff Kendrick, a prominent figure at **Standard Chartered**, recently shared his unwavering confidence in Bitcoin’s future trajectory. During an exclusive interview at the 2025 European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona, Kendrick affirmed his official forecast of $200,000 for **Bitcoin** by year-end. This ambitious target stands despite the recent record $19 billion market liquidation and renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, factors that typically introduce significant uncertainty into financial markets. Kendrick’s analysis suggests that while these events cause short-term disruptions, they do not derail the fundamental drivers of Bitcoin’s long-term growth.

Furthermore, even in a more conservative scenario, Kendrick anticipates a price rise “well north of $150,000” by the end of the year. This projection relies on the assumption that the US Federal Reserve continues cutting interest rates, aligning with broader market expectations. This rate-cutting policy, historically, tends to favor risk assets like cryptocurrencies, making the **price prediction** more robust. Investors closely monitor these macroeconomic indicators as they often provide crucial context for digital asset performance.

Navigating the Recent Crypto Market Crash

The cryptocurrency market faced a significant challenge on the weekend of October 10, when it endured a record $19 billion liquidation event. Consequently, Bitcoin’s (BTC) price dipped to a four-month low of $104,000. This dramatic drop naturally caused concern among investors and market observers. However, Kendrick views this downturn as a temporary phase. He believes that as the dust settles over the coming weeks, investors may increasingly perceive this sell-off as a prime “buying opportunity.”

This perspective suggests that the **market crash** could serve as an accumulation phase, preparing the ground for the next significant rally. History shows that significant dips in the **Bitcoin** market have often preceded strong rebounds, allowing savvy investors to enter or increase their positions at lower prices. Therefore, the recent volatility, while unsettling, might ultimately reinforce the bullish narrative for Bitcoin’s journey towards the $200,000 mark by the end of 2025, as projected by **Standard Chartered**.

Bitcoin fell 6% over the past month, trading at approximately $108,260 at the time of writing, according to Crypto News Insights data. The aftermath of such a large liquidation event typically takes several weeks to fully resolve. Nevertheless, the underlying sentiment among institutional analysts like Kendrick remains remarkably positive, focusing on the long-term potential rather than short-term fluctuations.

The Power of Crypto ETFs and Gold’s Influence

A primary driver for Bitcoin’s anticipated price momentum for the remainder of the year, according to Geoff Kendrick, will be the continued inflows into **crypto ETFs**. These exchange-traded funds have democratized access to Bitcoin for institutional and retail investors alike, significantly boosting market liquidity and adoption. Kendrick stated, “There’s no reason for them to stop. The US government shutdown, Fed rate cuts. All that story is playing out already in gold.” This highlights a crucial parallel between Bitcoin and traditional safe-haven assets.

Gold’s recent achievement of all-time highs also plays a pivotal role in Kendrick’s analysis. He suggests that this performance will translate into increased momentum for **Bitcoin**, as its narrative as a digital safe-haven asset reemerges and strengthens. Both assets often attract investors during periods of economic uncertainty, serving as hedges against inflation and geopolitical risks. Consequently, gold’s robust performance provides a compelling precedent for Bitcoin’s potential. Bitcoin ETFs recorded a sharp rebound in flows recently, with $477 million in net positive inflows on a single Tuesday, breaking a four-day losing streak, as reported by Farside Investors. This demonstrates the enduring appeal and resilience of **crypto ETFs** even after a significant **market crash**.

Economic Factors Fueling Bitcoin’s Potential Rise

Several macroeconomic factors underpin Standard Chartered’s optimistic **price prediction** for Bitcoin. The ongoing discussion around the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate policies is paramount. As central banks potentially move towards rate cuts to stimulate economic growth, the cost of borrowing decreases, making riskier assets like cryptocurrencies more attractive to investors seeking higher returns. This environment often encourages capital to flow into markets like Bitcoin, which offers substantial growth potential compared to traditional investments.

Moreover, the broader economic landscape, including any potential US government shutdowns or geopolitical tensions, tends to bolster the appeal of decentralized assets. Investors often turn to **Bitcoin** as an alternative store of value when confidence in traditional financial systems wavers. This safe-haven narrative, reinforced by gold’s performance, positions Bitcoin uniquely within the global financial ecosystem. Kendrick’s analysis consistently ties these macroeconomic shifts directly to Bitcoin’s projected upward movement, emphasizing that these are not isolated events but interconnected forces driving the digital asset’s value.

Long-Term Outlook: Beyond $200K

While the $200,000 target by year-end is significant, Kendrick’s long-term outlook for Bitcoin is even more ambitious. In a February interview, he predicted that Bitcoin could surge to $500,000 by the time Donald Trump concludes his second term in 2028, a forecast reported by Crypto News Insights. This extended **price prediction** underscores the belief that Bitcoin’s growth is not merely a short-term phenomenon but part of a larger, sustained trend driven by increasing institutional adoption, technological advancements, and its evolving role in the global economy.

The resilience shown by **Bitcoin** after the recent **market crash**, coupled with the continued strength of **crypto ETFs** and favorable macroeconomic conditions, paints a promising picture. The current market dynamics, including the recent liquidation event, are viewed by Standard Chartered as temporary hurdles that ultimately pave the way for stronger growth. Investors should monitor these developments closely, as they may indicate the beginning of another significant accumulation phase before Bitcoin embarks on its next major rally.