The future movement of Bitcoin’s price has captured the attention of both investors and market observers, especially as Standard Chartered Bank, a major player in global finance, revises its perspective on the digital currency. According to a recent
Bearish expectations first surfaced in October 2025, when then-U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of significant tariffs on Chinese goods led to a 4.5% decline in Bitcoin’s value, bringing it down to $108,400. At that time, Standard Chartered had cautioned about a potential dip below $100,000, attributing it to uncertainties surrounding trade. However, recent diplomatic breakthroughs between the U.S. and China have shifted this outlook. News of a “preliminary” trade agreement, revealed ahead of a crucial meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, helped calm investor nerves. This positive turn coincided with a 5% rally in Bitcoin’s price to $115,500 over the weekend, while the overall crypto market added $150 billion in value.
Kendrick’s revised assessment points to Bitcoin’s ability to withstand macroeconomic changes. He observed that the cryptocurrency’s latest rally is part of a broader movement of capital away from traditional safe havens like gold and into digital assets. For example, gold prices dropped 2.8% to $4,001.90 per ounce on Monday as optimism over trade talks grew, further supporting the notion that Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a shield against geopolitical instability. Kendrick also highlighted the role of institutional investors, noting over $50 billion in inflows to Bitcoin ETFs this year and a rise in corporate treasuries holding crypto.
The connection between U.S.-China relations and Bitcoin’s price is well established. Historically, October and November have been strong months for Bitcoin, a pattern known as “Uptober.” This year, however, the asset’s performance has been closely linked to trade news. For instance, when Trump announced “reciprocal” tariffs on global imports in April 2025, Bitcoin’s price fell to $76,300. The recent easing of tensions—including reports of China resuming purchases of U.S. soybeans and postponing restrictions on rare earth exports—has created a more supportive environment for riskier investments.
Despite this optimistic perspective, Standard Chartered remains vigilant. While the bank now considers $100,000 as a likely long-term support level, it acknowledges that short-term fluctuations are still possible. According to the Cointelegraph article, Kendrick described the recent drop below $100,000 as potentially the “final instance” of Bitcoin trading at that price, but he also cautioned that factors like changes in Federal Reserve policy or renewed trade conflicts could lead to further volatility.
The market has reacted quickly to these developments. Bitcoin’s 50-week moving average, a key technical indicator, has remained stable since early 2023. Institutional players seem to share the positive outlook: SpaceX recently moved $133 million worth of Bitcoin to new wallets, and JPMorgan has upgraded its rating for
As the cryptocurrency sector reaches this turning point, Standard Chartered’s updated forecast reflects a larger shift: Bitcoin is transitioning from a speculative instrument to a strategic asset within diversified investment portfolios. With trade tensions subsiding and institutional involvement on the rise, the possibility of Bitcoin reaching $200,000 by year’s end—and even $500,000 by 2028—now seems more attainable than ever.