BTC Drops Below $60K, Can It Still Reach $100K? Standard Chartered and Bernstein Diverge as Whale Funds Split

News Editor

2026-07-02 03:01:45

Bitcoin fell approximately 30% in the first half of 2026, dropping below $60,000 in June and recording the largest monthly net outflow ($4.06 billion) since the launch of spot ETFs. Standard Chartered maintains its year-end target of $100,000, viewing the pullback as a buying opportunity, while Bernstein holds a more optimistic forecast of $150,000. Institutional fund flows are clearly diverging: hedge funds and brokerages have significantly reduced their positions, whereas JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund are increasing their holdings. This divergence highlights the contrasting views of long-term investors versus short-term traders.

BitcoinBTC$60000Standard CharteredBernsteinInstitutional flowsWhale movementsETF outflows

Market Overview: BTC Down 30% in H1, Breaks $60K in June

Bitcoin suffered a cumulative decline of approximately 30% in the first half of 2026, with June seeing the price fall below the $60,000 mark. This drop coincided with the largest single-month net outflow from spot ETFs since their inception, totaling $4.06 billion. Market sentiment remains weak as investors question whether BTC can still rally back to $100,000.

Institutional Forecasts: Standard Chartered at $100K, Bernstein at $150K

Standard Chartered maintains its year-end price target of $100,000, describing the current correction as a buying opportunity. Bernstein goes further, holding a more bullish prediction of $150,000. Both investment banks emphasize a positive long-term outlook despite the near-term pressure.

Whale Movements: Hedge Funds Sell, Sovereign Funds Buy

Institutional capital flows show a clear divergence. Hedge funds and brokerages have been aggressively reducing their Bitcoin positions, while JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund are increasing their exposure. This split indicates that long-term holders and short-term speculators have dramatically different views on Bitcoin's trajectory.

This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan.

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