'known sceptic'
I know Peter Schiff's stance well and he is dead set against crypto, he is more then skeptical more like he believes BTC to be of zero worth. He has no understanding of how this virtual item could serve any utility or hold any value long term. If you asked him if it was Ponzi scheme, a complete fiction I believe he would answer almost in complete agreement with that.
If you want a more balanced view or something close to a sceptic view then listen to Jim Rickards who will acknowledge Bitcoin is money. He will also lay out the history of money which included money used via tokens such as feathers or sea shells, some of these systems held for hundreds of years. The point being the exchange and economy between people is what is important to value and the worth of money.
When we have a political system which undermines many people and their daily work with the money they are paid, many alternatives are possible. If you think you are hard done by and you live in one of the top ten richest countries in the world even if you are poor then stop and think of the billions who live in 2nd or 3rd world countries and nowhere close to the source of dollar printing. These people are crying out for an alternative to FIAT and Bitcoin is useful to them and is not zero worth. Its hard to know this when rich and close to politics or able to vote in a rich western country.
Right after halving there will be accumulation period that can last for months, even entire year. That was how it happens last two halvings, and that will happen again.
Yep sounds like a sensible view to me. Also we have a reaction to a loss of a dream scenario, so the realisation we arent getting a new high has some then sell. If some sell it depresses the price for a while maybe months. This is a normal cycle in markets, halvening is a development not an event so much. It'll take time, eventually you get a rise a proper push more then speculation.