Economist and longtime Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff warned that Bitcoin might collapse to $20,000 if the asset loses key assist close to $50,000.
His feedback come as geopolitical tensions escalate following reviews that the US navy is making ready strike choices in opposition to Iran.
If Bitcoin breaks $50K, which appears to be like doubtless, it appears extremely doubtless it’s going to a minimum of check $20K. That will be an 84% drop from its ATH. I do know Bitcoin has completed that earlier than, however by no means with a lot hype, leverage, institutional possession, and market cap at stake. Promote Bitcoin now!
— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) February 19, 2026
Peter Schiff’s Anti-Bitcoin Notion is Stronger than Ever Earlier than
Schiff argued {that a} drop beneath $50,000 now seems doubtless and will set off a a lot deeper decline. He recommended Bitcoin could repeat historic crash patterns seen in earlier cycles, even regardless of elevated institutional adoption and broader mainstream curiosity.
His warning arrives as Bitcoin trades close to $66,000, down sharply from its current cycle highs.
Schiff has remained certainly one of Bitcoin’s most constant skeptics for over a decade. He has repeatedly described Bitcoin as a speculative bubble and argued that it lacks intrinsic worth.
Peter Schiff Criticizing Bitcoin on X
All through earlier bull markets, he predicted main crashes, whereas persevering with to advertise gold as a superior retailer of worth.
Nevertheless, Bitcoin has additionally repeatedly recovered from extreme corrections and reached new highs over time.
His newest warning comes at a fragile second for crypto markets. International danger sentiment has weakened amid fears of potential US navy motion in opposition to Iran.
Traditionally, Bitcoin usually falls within the early part of geopolitical shocks as traders scale back publicity to unstable belongings.
On-chain information helps the view that short-term weak spot stays doable. The Brief-Time period Holder SOPR indicator at the moment sits beneath 1, displaying that current patrons are promoting at a loss.
This displays concern and ongoing capitulation amongst weaker traders.
On the identical time, one other key metric tells a unique story. Bitcoin’s short-term Sharpe ratio has dropped to extraordinarily destructive ranges.
This implies Bitcoin has already skilled unusually poor returns relative to volatility.
In previous cycles, such situations usually appeared close to native bottoms moderately than the start of extended collapses.
This creates a combined outlook. Whereas geopolitical stress and weak sentiment might push Bitcoin decrease within the brief time period, a lot of the speculative extra seems already flushed out.
Schiff’s prediction displays rising uncertainty—however on-chain information suggests the market could also be nearer to a reset part than the beginning of a full-scale collapse.
