Standard Chartered Eyes $126,000 Bitcoin Milestone as Rally Intensifies

Standard Chartered is forecasting that Bitcoin will retest its all-time high of $126,000 by the end of the year.

Bullish Momentum Accelerates in Crypto Markets

Following a decisive 23% rally that propelled Bitcoin ( $BTC ) to $77,300, Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick has upgraded his market outlook. Kendrick, who previously set a year-end target of $100,000, now suggests that the current momentum could push the asset significantly higher.

Liquidation Cascades and ETF Inflows Driving the Surge

The rapid recovery in Bitcoin's price is being fueled by several key structural drivers:

■Forced buying triggered by the liquidation of short positions.

■A resurgence in institutional demand through U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs.

■A definitive breakout from the long-standing $60,000 - $65,000 consolidation range.

Navigating the Path to New All-Time Highs

Kendrick notes that the recovery could see a significant acceleration around October 6, marking a seasonal milestone for the asset. After hitting a low of $58,000 in late June, Bitcoin's climb suggests that the recent 'crypto winter' phase is being replaced by a renewed period of institutional accumulation.

Much like the volatility seen in global freight rates during liquidity shifts, the crypto market reacts aggressively to the opening of new capital channels. The convergence of ETF-driven demand and short-seller liquidations creates a vacuum that drives prices upward. We are witnessing a structural shift in how liquidity is being deployed within the digital asset ecosystem.