Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) could eventually go to $1 million if it does not go to zero, but institutions, not retail, are increasingly driving the market’s long-term direction, according to Anthony Pompliano.

Why Is Bitcoin Sentiment So Low?

In the latest “From The Desk Of Anthony Pompliano” podcast, Pompliano said the artificial intelligence arms race is accelerating even as Bitcoin sentiment has plunged to extreme lows, driven largely by retail capitulation.

Citing data from Binance Research, he noted that Bitcoin’s Fear & Greed Index recently fell to 5, one of the lowest readings on record and below levels seen during prior major crypto shocks.

Unlike earlier cycles, however, prices and…

Read more on Benzinga

Even as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has logged its worst start to a year ever, seasoned finance veterans are strategically positioning for future upside.

Bitcoin’s Unexpected Advocate

Prominent crypto investor Lark Davis highlighted comments by Hugh Hendry, founder of Eclectica Asset Management, who is incorporating Bitcoin into what he describes as a “barbell strategy” alongside bets on interest rate cuts.

Hendry built his reputation as a contrarian investor who challenged mainstream economic thinking.

In 2008, as the global financial crisis unfolded, his fund returned 31.2% while markets were roiled by the collapse of mortgage-backed debt.

He has also demonstrated conviction in real assets,…

Read more on Benzinga

Bitcoin remained steady around the $67,000 mark, largely unaffected by the Supreme Court ruling against President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy.

Notable Statistics:

Coinglass data shows 78,421 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $179.80 million.       

SoSoValue data shows net outflows of $165.8 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Thursday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $130.2 million.

In the past 24 hours, top losers include Kite, LayerZero and Morpho.

Notable Developments:

Trader Notes: Trader Roman said bulls have roughly eight days left on the monthly chart to push Bitcoin back above $74,000.

If the cryptocurrency fails to reclaim that level before…

Read more on Benzinga

Sam Bankman-Fried is pushing back on what he calls widespread misconceptions about FTX’s collapse, arguing the exchange faced a liquidity crisis rather than insolvency or fraud.

‘FTX Was Not Insolvent’

Sam Bankman-Fried contended on X on Friday that FTX was solvent at the time of its bankruptcy filing and that customer funds did not permanently disappear.

He claimed the company is now repaying customers between 119% and 143% of their claims.

According to Bankman-Fried, FTX could have repaid customers in kind but was pushed into bankruptcy too quickly.

He alleges that legal fees totalling roughly $1 billion have drained the estate as lawyers dismantled the company and managed the repayment…

Read more on Benzinga

Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) executive chairman Michael Saylor doubled down on his Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) conviction, declaring “if it’s not going to zero, it’s going to a million.”

The Million-Dollar Call

Saylor posted the binary prediction on X amid increased market volatility and weakened investor sentiment. 

The statement frames Bitcoin as an all-or-nothing bet: either complete worthlessness or $1 million per coin.

Market analysts view the statement as a reflection of Saylor’s high-risk, high-reward approach. 

Bitcoin’s long-term success depends on global adoption, regulatory clarity, and macroeconomic conditions. 

Critics point to extreme volatility and regulatory risks, arguing…

Read more on Benzinga

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is down 23% through the first 50 days of 2026, marking its weakest start to a year on record as spot ETFs hemorrhaged nearly $4 billion in five weeks.

The Historic Decline

Bitcoin has never previously posted consecutive declines in January and February. 

The asset fell 10% in January and another 15% in February, setting up the first-ever back-to-back monthly losses to start a year.

While double-digit January drops occurred in 2015, 2016, and 2018, each was followed by a positive February. 

If losses hold, Bitcoin is also on track for its weakest consecutive monthly performance since 2022.

The weakness follows a 17% decline in 2025, a post-election year. 

Historically,…

Read more on Benzinga