After a volatile period in which it lost about 28% of its price in about a month, Bitcoin is once again in crisis mode, trading below the crucial $68,000 level. Prices are fluctuating wildly, and those fluctuations are forcing smart money talk and wild betting into the same room.
Experts offer a completely different path
Some investors say a deep deal is forming. Andrew Parrish, a serial entrepreneur and outspoken supporter of Bitcoin, argues that mood matters. When retail traders get dark, large buyers can step in and quickly lift the market.
He set an audacious goal of $500,000 within a few years if flows and sentiment reverse. Veteran investor Rick Edelman has similar headline numbers, but with a slower clock. His calculations are based on widespread wealth moving small slices into cryptocurrencies over time. Both views depend on steady capital inflows and whether more investors take small positions in cryptocurrencies.
GM.
Less than $70,000 in Bitcoin is a giveaway. Buy more.
3 years later $BTC It will sell for more than $500,000.
— Andrew (@AP_Abacus) February 16, 2026
serious bear incident
On the other hand, the warning comes loud and clear. Bloomberg macro strategist Mike McGlone painted an even darker picture, saying an 85% drop is possible and $10,000 shouldn’t be ignored.
Legendary investor Rick Edelman: “I believe #bitcoin will reach $500,000 by 2030.” 🚀 pic.twitter.com/XNQFTbuA69
— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDaily) February 16, 2026
He cited a strong stock market, less market volatility and weakening political tailwinds related to U.S. President Donald Trump as reasons for capital to move away from riskier bets. Markets can be driven by big shifts in where money sits, and moments like this can quickly put a damper on optimism.
Bitcoin/Crypto Collapse Could Cause Next Recession –
“Healthy corrections” will soon be heard from stock market analysts (who risk losing their jobs if they don’t participate) in the wake of the crypto collapse. The “buy the push” mantra since 2008 may be over. Here’s why:
– US stocks… pic.twitter.com/fPPc2fV3EU
— Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) February 15, 2026
Flow and emotion are important
According to reports, there was a recent large withdrawal from an exchange-traded fund. On-chain measurements reported hundreds of millions of breaches in a short period of time. Another fear and greed meter showed extremely low readings, indicating panic among small traders.
These two facts together explain why prices have fallen so sharply. If many people try to exit, the price can fall faster than logic predicts. That said, the spill could also pave the way for another type of buyer to move in later.
On institutional behavior and high price targets
On the other hand, organizational behavior will be an important variable. Big company executives may buy when retail is volatile, and some market watchers point to companies that have built crypto desks as potential demand anchors.
Despite the uncertainty, the $500,000 mark remains a hot spot for bullish investors. While Parrish’s call has garnered attention because it links sentiment fluctuations to underlying market movements, Edelman’s prediction highlights how even a modest allocation from the world’s wealth could drive Bitcoin higher over time.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
