Schiff predicted Bitcoin could fall to around $30,000.
Despite repeatedly declaring Bitcoin “dead” over the years, Schiff remains its most prolific critic.
Gold advocate Peter Schiff warned that a Bitcoin “death spiral” could trigger its worst decline on record, arguing that pressure on Strategy could unleash a wave of forced selling across the crypto market.
In a YouTube video published Saturday, Schiff said a drop toward $30,000 could spark a “cascade of selling” and lead to Bitcoin suffering what he described as “the worst decline it’s ever experienced.”
Bitcoin Is the ‘Weakest Link’ in a Broader Bubble, Schiff Says
In a one-hour video, Schiff said the Strategy’s preferred-stock structure leaves it vulnerable to declining Bitcoin prices, as lower prices could force additional Bitcoin sales to fund obligations.
This in turn could place further downward pressure on both Bitcoin and Strategy’s financing vehicles, he said.
He argued that if Strategy ultimately fails, the market would have to absorb hundreds of thousands of Bitcoin held by the company, creating a major overhang for the broader crypto sector.
“If you know there’s 740,000 Bitcoin that are going to get sold at some fire sale price, why would you want to buy it now?” Schiff said.
He called the firm’s holdings “a giant albatross around the neck of the crypto market.”
Schiff also argued that Bitcoin’s recent weakness is evidence that the crypto bubble has already begun deflating.
He described crypto as the weakest link in a broader technology- and artificial intelligence-driven market boom.
“The weakest link in the chain has always been crypto, because it’s pure hype. It’s all sizzle and no steak,” Schiff said.
The economist also suggested that crypto’s decline could be an early warning sign for broader financial markets, stating that its weakness could eventually spread.
Schiff Warns Bitcoin Could Suffer Its Worst Decline Ever
Schiff said he believes Bitcoin could be headed for its worst annual decline on record, arguing that a downturn comparable to previous bear markets could trigger a much larger decline.
Pointing to Bitcoin’s historical drawdowns, Schiff noted that its previous down years have averaged declines of about 65%.
“If Bitcoin is down 65% this year, it’ll end the year at around 30,000,” Schiff said.
However, he argued that a drop to that level would likely create a “cascade of selling.”
He warned that the resulting liquidation could push Bitcoin far below levels implied by historical averages.
“There’s so much more downside potential for Bitcoin to have its worst year ever, not just a typical decline, but the worst decline it’s ever experienced,” he said.
Schiff claimed that crypto, artificial intelligence companies, and other high-growth investments are all competing for the same pool of investor capital.
“There’s only so much money for Bitcoin, for Ethereum, for all these AI companies to finance all this,” Schiff said. “There’s not unlimited investment capital.”
The Majority Says Schiff Will Never Be Proven Right
Following the video, Schiff posted a poll on X asking followers how far Bitcoin would need to fall before investors admitted he had been right about the crypto.
More than 16,000 users participated in the poll.
The largest share of respondents, 59%, selected “$0,” indicating they would not concede Schiff was right unless Bitcoin became entirely worthless.
Schiff responded to the results by arguing that even a decline to $20,000 would likely be severe enough to bankrupt Strategy.
“You guys will all be broke, but still think you were right all along. Have fun being poor,” he wrote.
The response sparked backlash from the crypto community, with many calling out Schiff’s own failures at predicting Bitcoin.
A Long History of Bitcoin Decline Calls
Schiff’s latest warning is part of a pattern that stretches back more than a decade.
According to data compiled by Bitcoin Obituaries tracker bitcoindeaths.com, Schiff has declared Bitcoin “dead” at least 22 times since 2011.
His first recorded call came when Bitcoin traded at roughly $17.
Peter Schiff has topped the leaderboard | Source: bitcoindeaths.com
The website ranks Schiff as the most prolific Bitcoin skeptic on its leaderboard, ahead of economist Steve Hanke, who has made 10 recorded “Bitcoin is dead” calls, and billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who has made eight.
Despite the repeated predictions, Bitcoin has risen more than 4,100-fold since Schiff’s first recorded obituary call.
Strategy’s Bitcoin Sale Added Fuel To The Debate
While Schiff’s warnings remain highly controversial, recent developments at Strategy have intensified scrutiny of the company’s Bitcoin-backed financing model.
On June 1, Strategy disclosed that it sold 32 Bitcoin between May 26 and May 31 for approximately $2.5 million.
The amount sold represented only a tiny fraction of Strategy’s more than 843,000 Bitcoin reserve. However, the move drew attention because Saylor had spent years championing a “never sell” philosophy.
It comes as Grayscale Research’s Zach Pandl recently highlighted concerns surrounding STRC, Strategy’s variable-rate preferred stock.
Because the instrument is designed to trade near $100 per share, a sustained decline below that level could pressure the company to raise its dividend to attract buyers.
Critics, including Schiff, argue that higher dividend obligations could eventually force additional Bitcoin sales if other funding sources become unavailable.
Supporters of Strategy, however, maintain that the company’s financing structure remains manageable and that Bitcoin’s long-term appreciation potential outweighs the risk.
Jiang Zhuoer, founder and CEO of Chinese mining pool BTCTOP, recently claimed that Strategy would survive even if Bitcoin fell to $30,000.
Writing on X, he said: “Regarding the FUD,” he “I believe MicroStrategy will not substantially net sell BTC.”
He argued that Strategy can sell Bitcoin acquired at lower prices to realize gains that help fund STRC dividend payments.
