Bitcoin (BTC) Could Crash to $20,000 If the Nasdaq Enters a Bear Market, Peter Schiff Warns

Bitcoin's inability to break the $84,000 resistance level has set off fresh concerns among market analysts. As the U.S. stock market witnesses

The inability of Bitcoin (BTC) to break through the $84,000 resistance level has sparked fresh concerns among market analysts, especially with the U.S. stock market now showing signs of a sharp correction. As the market mood turns risk-averse, Peter Schiff, a staunch critic of Bitcoin, is warning that if the Nasdaq plunges into a bear market, BTC can be dragged down to $20,000.

Schiff’s prediction is based on his observation of a historical trend—for every 12% drop in the Nasdaq, Bitcoin tends to decline twice as much. With the Nasdaq already falling by 12% over the past few weeks, and the potential for a 20% decline in the index, Schiff says this could bring BTC’s price to $65,000.

However, Schiff further notes that past bear markets for the Nasdaq have seen far steeper drops. The Dot-com bubble saw the index crash by nearly 80%, the 2008 financial crisis saw a 55% decline, and the 2020 COVID crash resulted in a 30% fall.

A full-fledged bear market for the Nasdaq would be a 40% drop, which Schiff claims can trigger Bitcoin’s fall to $20,000. “A bear market in the NASDAQ would accelerate #Bitcoin’s collapse to much lower levels,” Schiff stated in a recent tweet.

His predictions are also integrating concerns about Bitcoin’s vulnerability in a risk-off market environment. As the market mood turns sour, investors might prefer safer assets like gold over risky cryptocurrencies.

"The NASDAQ is down 12%. If this correction turns out to be a bear market, and the correlation where a 12% decline in the NASDAQ equates to a 24% decline in Bitcoin holds, when the NASDAQ is down 20%, Bitcoin will be about $65K.But if the NASDAQ goes into a bear market, history shows that the declines tend to be far steeper than that. The last time the NASDAQ went into a bear market, during the dot-com bubble, it fell by nearly 80%. In 2008, it dropped 55% and in 2020 it fell by 30%. A 40% decline would bring the NASDAQ to 8,000 and potentially Bitcoin to $20,000."

Gold Surges As Bitcoin Falters

While Bitcoin has been struggling, the yellow metal has moved in the opposite direction. Gold prices have risen 13% since the Nasdaq topped on December 16, 2023, reinforcing its safe-haven reputation.

If the Nasdaq falls 40%, then gold can rise as high as $3,800 per ounce, asserts Schiff. If this plays out, Bitcoin priced in gold could lose 85%, further undermining its reputation as “digital gold.”

The inverse relationship between BTC and gold has become increasingly evident. As investors seek stability from market volatility, they're piling into gold, while the cryptocurrency remains highly susceptible to broader market moves.

Schiff believes this divergence can deter governments and institutional investors from holding BTC in reserves, ultimately limiting its long-term adoption.

Schiff's bearish forecast is shared by Bloomberg analyst Mike McGlone, who recently went even further in saying that Bitcoin could drop to $10,000. Such warnings are fueling investor anxiety, especially with daily trading volumes surging ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision on policy.

Bitcoin Faces Selling Pressure

Adding to its difficulties, Peter Schiff has warned that the mounting selling pressure could cause some big institutional holders to land in financial distress.

MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:), a company that has heavily invested in BTC, was singled out by Schiff in particular. With the cryptocurrency's price now below $84,000, Schiff argued that it would be “impossible for $MSTR to sell enough Bitcoin to avoid bankruptcy,” if prices tanked further.

Despite the bearish outlook, the Bitcoin price has remained fairly stable over the weekend. It is now trading at $83,039, losing 1.40% over the past 24 hours. The daily trading volume, however, is up 87% at $23.94 billion.

On the other hand, MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor continues to defend Bitcoin, calling it more than just an asset. It is, he says, a decentralized financial network that can ultimately serve to secure the U.S. economy in the digital age.

Moreover, in a significant policy move, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This follows reports that the administration is planning to seize $50 billion in assets from the country's enemies,