The second week of February 2026 is ending on a somber note. After failing to sustain the $70,000 rebound, Bitcoin ($BTC) has slipped to an intraday low of $65,079, its weakest level this week. The "leverage flush" is intensifying as major institutions reset their expectations for the year.
1. Standard Chartered’s "Panic" Forecast
In a note that has sent shockwaves through the market today, Standard Chartered slashed its year-end 2026 Bitcoin forecast from $150,000 down to $100,000.
The Warning: Analyst Geoffrey Kendrick warned that BTC could "capitulate" further, potentially dropping to $50,000 before stabilizing.
The Drain: Persistent outflows from Bitcoin ETFs and a "thinning" of speculative demand are being cited as the primary drivers of this price decay.
2. Coinbase’s $667M Reality Check
Following yesterday's closing bell, Coinbase reported a massive $667 million loss for Q4.
The Impact: Revenue tumbled 20% to $1.8 billion as falling token prices drained trading activity. The stock ($COIN) has tumbled nearly 37% so far in 2026.
The Sentiment: Analysts from Monness, Crespi, and Hardt have downgraded the exchange to "Sell," calling assumptions of a quick recovery "foolish."
3. The "Epstein File" Shadow
The massive DOJ release of 3 million Epstein-related documents continues to cast a shadow over both Westminster and Washington.
Political Fallout: In the UK, the scandal nearly toppled Keir Starmer’s government. In the US, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is facing intense resignation calls after files confirmed he dined on Epstein’s island in 2012.
Why it Matters: Lutnick is a key architect of U.S. Trade Policy. His potential departure is creating "Policy Risk" that is weighing on both equities and crypto "Risk-On" sentiment.
📊 Market Vital Signs (Feb 13, 2026)
Asset Price (USDT) 24h Trend Sentiment
Bitcoin ($BTC ) $66,001 ↘️ -3.6% Extreme Fear (11)
Ethereum ($ETH) $1,940 ↘️ -3.5% Multi-Month Low
Solana ($SOL) $86.29 ↘️ -1.6% Relative Strength
XRP ($XRP) $1.45 ↘️ -0.4% Stable Consolidation
🔮 Prediction: The $58K "Survival" Test
Bitcoin is currently holding above its 200-week moving average (~$58,000).
Bullish Case: If BTC can close the weekend above $66,000, there is still a technical window for a relief rally toward $73,000.
Bearish Case: A sustained break below $60,000 would open the trapdoor for a deeper pullback toward the high $40,000s, as predicted by Standard Chartered today.
💡 Smart Strategy: This is a "De-risking" market. While retail traders are being washed out, "Satoshi-era" whales are watching the $58k floor. If you are a long-term holder, focus on Spot accumulation only at these extreme lows. Avoid leverage—the "funding rates" are erratic and the "AI scare trade" is currently dragging down all tech-adjacent assets.
Are you HODLing for the $100k "Revised" target, or are you preparing for a $50k "Capitulation"? Let’s talk below! 👇
#BinanceSquare #EpsteinFiles #BTC #StandardChartered #writetoearn
