SINGAPORE, 14 February 2026 – Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market remain under mounting pressure across Asia after Standard Chartered issued a stark warning of further price weakness, underscoring growing investor caution amid macroeconomic uncertainty and capital outflows from digital asset markets.
Bitcoin was trading slightly above US$66,000 in Asian hours after falling as much as 4% to around US$65,079 in New York, marking its lowest level of the week. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, also hovered near recent lows at approximately US$1,940, reflecting broad weakness across the crypto sector.
The downturn reflects a combination of deteriorating market sentiment, reduced speculative demand, and shifting macroeconomic conditions that have weakened investor appetite for high-risk digital assets.
Standard Chartered Slashes Bitcoin Outlook Amid Market Weakness
Standard Chartered has sharply downgraded its Bitcoin price outlook, cutting its 2026 year-end forecast to US$100,000 from US$150,000, and significantly below its previous projection of US$300,000 made just months earlier.Â
Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, warned that Bitcoin could fall further to as low as US$50,000 before stabilising, citing weaker macroeconomic conditions and continued capital outflows from crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
He cautioned that the market may face further “price capitulation” in the coming months as liquidity tightens and investor sentiment weakens.
Crypto Market Loses Nearly US$2 Trillion in Value
Bitcoin’s decline has been severe. The world’s largest cryptocurrency has fallen more than 45% from its October 2025 peak of over US$126,000, reflecting a sharp reversal in speculative demand following the previous bull run.
Over the same period, the broader cryptocurrency market has shed nearly US$2 trillion in total value, highlighting the scale of the correction and its impact on digital asset investors.
This massive loss in market capitalisation underscores the cyclical nature of crypto markets, where rapid rallies are often followed by equally sharp corrections.
Technical Levels Signal Critical Support Zone
Market analysts are closely watching key technical support levels that could determine Bitcoin’s near-term direction.
According to market strategist Tony Sycamore, Bitcoin’s ability to hold above its 200-week moving average near US$58,000 remains critical. A break below this level could trigger further declines toward the US$40,000 range.
However, if Bitcoin manages to stabilise above key support levels, a potential recovery toward resistance between US$73,000 and US$75,000 remains possible.
This technical range highlights the fragile balance between bearish sentiment and potential recovery scenarios.
Coinbase Loss and Broader Market Weakness Add Pressure
Investor sentiment has also been shaken by Coinbase Global’s recent financial results, which showed the largest US crypto exchange reporting a US$667 million quarterly loss amid falling trading activity and declining token prices.
Coinbase shares have fallen sharply, declining 37% this year and dropping another 8% following the earnings release, reinforcing concerns about weakening crypto market fundamentals.
The company’s losses illustrate how falling asset prices directly impact trading volumes and revenue across the crypto ecosystem.
Macro Risks and Tech Market Sell-Off Amplify Crypto Volatility
Crypto markets are also being affected by broader financial market volatility, particularly weakness in global technology stocks.
Damien Loh, chief investment officer at Ericsenz Capital, noted that sell-offs in other risk-sensitive asset classes could accelerate crypto declines, as investors reduce exposure to volatile assets.
Cryptocurrencies have historically shown strong correlation with high-growth technology stocks, making them vulnerable to broader risk-off market conditions.
Investment Outlook: Crypto Market Faces Critical Inflection Point
Bitcoin’s current price action reflects a critical inflection point for the cryptocurrency market.
While long-term adoption trends remain intact, short-term risks include:
- Continued ETF outflows
- Tightening global liquidity conditions
- Weak investor sentiment
- Rising interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainty
For investors, the next few months will be crucial in determining whether Bitcoin stabilises and resumes its long-term upward trajectory or enters a deeper correction phase.
Despite the current volatility, cryptocurrencies remain a key component of the evolving global financial system. However, the path forward may involve increased consolidation, weaker speculative demand, and a more mature, institutionally driven market structure.
