Tom Kushner Bitcoin ETFs suffer $410 million in outflows as Standard Chartered lowers its Bitcoin target to $100K, signaling deeper bearish sentiment across crypto markets.
Bitcoin ETFs Bleed $410 Million as Standard Chartered Cuts Bitcoin Forecast to $100K
The recent rout in Bitcoin ETFs has deepened, with investors pulling $410 million from United States spot Bitcoin ETFs in a single session. The selloff followed Standard Chartered’s latest report slashing its Bitcoin price forecast for 2026, shaking confidence across the digital asset landscape.
According to data from SoSoValue, the combined net outflows have now pushed weekly redemptions to $375 million, setting the stage for a fourth consecutive week of losses. The total assets under management for all spot Bitcoin ETFs have shrunk to nearly $80 billion, a sharp fall from their October 2025 peak of $170 billion.
Standard Chartered Slashes Bitcoin Target
Standard Chartered has sharply lowered its Bitcoin outlook, revising its 2026 price target from $150,000 to $100,000. The bank cited the potential for deeper short-term corrections, warning that Bitcoin could fall as low as $50,000 before any meaningful rebound begins.
The British bank’s analysts anticipate that the next few months could bring additional price capitulation as speculative positions unwind. However, they maintain that Bitcoin’s long-term structure remains intact, projecting a recovery later in the year with Bitcoin ending 2026 near $100,000 and Ethereum around $4,000.
Ether ETFs mirrored the bearish flow, recording $113 million in daily redemptions, bringing the weekly total to $171 million. The downturn has marked a similar four-week losing streak for Ether ETF investors. XRP ETFs also posted modest outflows of $6.4 million, their first since early February.
Amid the sea of red, Solana ETFs emerged as the lone bright spot, drawing $2.7 million in inflows. Analysts attribute this resilience to the growing investor interest in Solana’s on-chain activity and its expanding DeFi ecosystem.
Institutional Outflows Drag Down Bitcoin ETFs
Institutional giants have borne the brunt of the selloff. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund together accounted for more than half of the total withdrawals. BlackRock’s vehicle lost approximately $157 million, while Fidelity’s fund saw $104 million exit in a single day.
These large-scale outflows underscore a shift in sentiment among institutional investors who were instrumental in propelling Bitcoin ETFs to record levels of demand during early 2025. Analysts now warn that continued redemptions could weigh heavily on Bitcoin’s short-term trajectory, particularly if the $60,000 support fails to hold.
Analysts Expect a $55,000 Bitcoin Bottom
Despite the selling pressure, several market researchers maintain that the current drawdown has not yet reached capitulation levels. Analytics firm CryptoQuant emphasized that Bitcoin’s realized price support stands near $55,000 — a level that has yet to be tested in the ongoing correction.
According to CryptoQuant’s data, the broader market remains in a bear phase rather than an extreme bear phase, a condition that typically precedes the formation of long-term bottoms. The firm’s Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator suggests that Bitcoin still has room for further downside before establishing a durable floor.
Bitcoin briefly dipped to $65,250 on Thursday before stabilizing near $66,000, according to CoinGecko. The mild rebound did little to offset investor caution as volumes in Bitcoin ETFs continued to decline across major issuers.
Long-term holders, often considered the backbone of Bitcoin’s market cycles, have so far shown resilience. Data indicates they are largely selling near breakeven levels, far from the deep losses of 30–40 percent typically seen during previous capitulation events. Analysts suggest that a more pronounced decline may be required before a full reset and recovery phase begins.
Sentiment Turns Bearish but Long-Term Outlook Intact
While Standard Chartered’s downward revision rattled markets, not all analysts share the same pessimism. Some strategists argue that the correction offers a necessary cooling period after the intense ETF-driven rally that sent Bitcoin close to its all-time high last year.
They note that macroeconomic pressures, including reduced liquidity and the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance, have contributed to the pullback. Yet, the continued institutional interest in regulated Bitcoin investment products suggests confidence in the asset’s long-term adoption remains unshaken.
Industry watchers expect volatility to persist as Bitcoin ETF inflows and outflows continue to dictate short-term movements. With overall assets still hovering around $80 billion, the ETF segment remains a critical gauge of institutional sentiment toward Bitcoin.
Outlook
Market participants will closely monitor whether upcoming trading sessions bring renewed inflows to offset the current streak of losses. If the outflows extend into a fifth week, it would mark one of the longest losing runs for spot Bitcoin ETFs since their approval.
Despite short-term turbulence, long-term narratives surrounding Bitcoin adoption and ETF integration into mainstream finance remain strong. For now, however, Standard Chartered’s revision and the $410 million outflow signal a period of caution for both retail and institutional investors navigating an increasingly volatile market.
Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards.
