In a move that sent ripples through the cryptocurrency markets, Standard Chartered (LON: STAN), a prominent multinational banking and financial services company, predicted in mid-October 2025 that Bitcoin (BTC) could briefly dip below the psychological $100,000 mark. This forecast, delivered by the bank's head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, came on the heels of Bitcoin's impressive ascent to an all-time high of $126,000 on October 6, 2025, before a sharp downturn saw it trade around $108,000, having briefly touched $104,000.
The prediction, while seemingly bearish in the short term, was notably framed as a significant "buying opportunity" and potentially "the last time Bitcoin is EVER below 100k." This nuanced stance immediately sparked intense debate across the crypto ecosystem, highlighting the delicate balance between short-term volatility and long-term conviction that characterizes the digital asset space. For many, it underscored Bitcoin's growing maturity and its increasing susceptibility to traditional macroeconomic headwinds, even as institutional players like Standard Chartered continued to project aggressive long-term price targets.
Market Impact and Price Action
The period leading up to and immediately following Standard Chartered's prediction was characterized by extreme volatility. Bitcoin's journey from its October 6 peak of $126,000 to the $104,000-$108,000 range by mid-October was swift and brutal. This sharp correction was primarily triggered by escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, with U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports sparking a broad sell-off across global risk assets. This culminated in a historic $19 billion market liquidation event around October 10-11, the largest in crypto history, dwarfing previous crashes.
Trading volumes surged during this tumultuous period. While a massive $19 billion liquidation occurred over two days, Bitcoin's 24-hour trading volume on October 22 still registered a significant $61.34 billion, reflecting persistent market engagement despite the price dip. Liquidity conditions tightened around the liquidation event due to major providers withdrawing capital, exacerbating the sell-off. U.S. Bitcoin spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) initially experienced net outflows, with $94 million on October 16 and $40.47 million on October 20. However, a significant rebound in institutional confidence was observed, with Bitcoin ETFs recording $266 million in inflows on October 22, indicating that institutional investors were actively "buying the dip."
From a technical analysis perspective, Bitcoin found crucial buying interest near key support levels, particularly around $108,000, $107,500, and $103,500, with the $100,000 and $93,000 marks identified as stronger psychological and structural supports. Resistance levels were noted between $111,000-$113,000 and $114,000. While Bitcoin dipped below its 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), signaling a short-term lack of bullish momentum, it had successfully reclaimed the 200-day EMA and the crucial 50-week moving average, which has historically acted as a robust support since early 2023. The Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio dipping below its 365-day moving average also historically points to a potential price bottom, setting the stage for future rallies. This pattern echoes past events, such as the September 2017 dip, which preceded strong Q4 rallies, and other MVRV ratio drops that consistently led to significant upward trends.
Community and Ecosystem Response
The crypto community's reaction to Standard Chartered's prediction and the subsequent market correction was a fascinating blend of caution and conviction. The broader market sentiment, as gauged by the Fear and Greed Index, plummeted to 29, indicating "fear" among traders. This reflected a natural apprehension as Bitcoin approached the critical $100,000 threshold.
However, a dominant "buy the dip" narrative quickly permeated social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit. Many users, echoing Standard Chartered's long-term optimism, viewed a sub-$100,000 Bitcoin as a rare, potentially once-in-a-lifetime accumulation opportunity. Community polls, such as those on CoinMarketCap, revealed that a substantial 82% of investors maintained a bullish outlook for Bitcoin despite the immediate price volatility. Crypto influencers largely aligned with this sentiment. Prominent figures like Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), whose company recently acquired 168 BTC at an average price of $112,051, publicly advocated for accumulating Bitcoin during such dips. Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital (TSX: GLXY), also suggested Bitcoin would likely hold above the $100k support level. Influencers frequently contextualized the market movements within broader macroeconomic factors, such as the U.S.-China trade tensions and anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, which were seen as future catalysts for recovery. The observation of capital rotation from gold to Bitcoin during market uncertainty further solidified the view of Bitcoin as a high-beta alternative hedge.
While the $19 billion liquidation event likely led to increased liquidations within DeFi lending protocols and a temporary slowdown in the highly speculative NFT market, the broader Web3 ecosystem remained largely resilient. The underlying confidence in Bitcoin's long-term trajectory, evidenced by sustained institutional interest and ETF inflows, prevented widespread panic or a fundamental questioning of Web3 initiatives. The prevailing sentiment was that this was a temporary shake-out rather than a structural flaw in the digital asset space.
What's Next for Crypto
Standard Chartered's prediction, despite its short-term bearish tone, ultimately reinforced a profoundly bullish long-term outlook for Bitcoin. The bank's head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, firmly maintained his year-end 2025 target of $200,000 for Bitcoin, with an even more ambitious long-term projection of $500,000 by 2028. This suggests that any dip below $100,000 would be fleeting, serving as a transient phase before a significant rebound.
Several potential catalysts are expected to fuel this recovery and subsequent rallies. Continued robust inflows into Bitcoin spot ETFs are seen as a primary driver, indicating sustained institutional adoption and demand. Expectations of the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates in the near future are anticipated to create a more favorable macroeconomic environment for risk assets like Bitcoin. Furthermore, the observed "gold-to-Bitcoin" rotations, where investors pivot from traditional safe-havens to Bitcoin during market shifts, could provide additional tailwinds. Technically, the consistent holding of the 50-week moving average as a strong support since early 2023 provides a solid foundation for upward momentum.
For investors, the strategic consideration is clear: a dip below $100,000 would represent a significant buying opportunity. The most likely scenario involves a brief period of price consolidation or a quick wick below $100,000, followed by a strong rebound driven by institutional accumulation and improving macroeconomic conditions. The market's increasing maturity and institutional influence, as evidenced by the changing dynamics compared to the 2024 halving cycle, suggest a more measured but potentially stronger recovery.
Bottom Line
Standard Chartered's prediction of Bitcoin briefly dropping below $100,000 in mid-October 2025 served as a potent reminder of the inherent volatility in the cryptocurrency markets, even as it highlighted Bitcoin's growing integration into traditional finance. For crypto investors and enthusiasts, the key takeaway is the consistent long-term bullish outlook from major financial institutions, despite short-term price corrections driven by macroeconomic factors like U.S.-China trade tensions.
The long-term significance of this event lies in Bitcoin's continued journey towards becoming a mature asset class. The "buy the dip" mentality, coupled with strong institutional ETF inflows and reaffirmations of high price targets, indicates a deep-seated confidence in Bitcoin's fundamental value and future appreciation. This resilience, even in the face of a historic $19 billion liquidation event, underscores Bitcoin's growing robustness and its role as an alternative store of value.
Looking ahead, important metrics to monitor include the volume of Bitcoin ETF inflows, announcements from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates, and Bitcoin's ability to hold key technical support levels, particularly around the $100,000 mark and its 50-week moving average. While short-term fluctuations are inevitable, the prevailing sentiment from both traditional finance giants and crypto thought leaders points towards a continued trajectory of adoption and significant price appreciation for Bitcoin in the coming months and years.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk.
