- Bitcoin’s value plummeted nearly 20% since Standard Chartered’s optimistic forecast in July.
- The ongoing decline in Bitcoin’s value coincides with a broader market sell-off.
- Despite the recent dip, experts remain optimistic, eyeing substantial growth post the upcoming halving event in 2024.
As Bitcoin undergoes a nearly 20% decrease since July, it faces contrasts with bold predictions made by market experts. This article delves into the factors influencing Bitcoin’s current market stance and the projections for its future amidst broader market fluctuations.
Standard Chartered’s Bold Prediction and the Current Reality
Back in July, Standard Chartered stirred the crypto community with a bullish prediction, suggesting that Bitcoin could escalate to a value of $120,000 by the end of 2024. The anticipation was based on the grounds of increased mining profitability that would potentially limit the Bitcoin supply, thereby elevating its prices. Around the same time, Tom Lee of Fundstrat even projected a more bullish figure of $200,000 over the next few years. However, the reality has since been harsh, with Bitcoin experiencing a significant dip, particularly losing over 11% in August, amid a broader market sell-off.
Market Influences and SEC’s Stance on Bitcoin ETFs
Bitcoin’s decline seems to be a part of a larger downward trend affecting the financial markets. Adding to this, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced that decisions on all spot Bitcoin ETF applications would be postponed until October, an announcement that has further burdened the wider crypto industry. At the time of last check on a Thursday, Bitcoin was trading around $25,762, marking a sharp contrast to the ambitious projections made by industry experts in July.
A Glimpse at Bitcoin’s Performance This Year
Despite the recent downturn, it’s important to acknowledge Bitcoin’s overall performance this year. The cryptocurrency witnessed a staggering 80% rally during the first half of the year, managing to maintain a year-to-date increase of over 55%, even accounting for August’s losses. This suggests that, although Bitcoin has been facing a slump, its annual performance indicates a resilience and a potential for recovery.
Conclusion
The world of cryptocurrency remains a volatile space, with Bitcoin’s recent downturn standing as testament. Despite facing a nearly 20% decline since July’s bullish predictions, experts retain a positive outlook, anticipating a substantial growth post the upcoming halving event in 2024. Joe Kelly, the co-founder and CEO of Unchained, maintains a conservative yet hopeful stance, projecting that even if Bitcoin stabilizes around $30,000 until the halving, it could potentially reach a valuation of $105,000 in a year post-halving, marking a significant uptick and fostering renewed optimism for investors in the cryptocurrency.