While Bitcoin enthusiasts celebrated the cryptocurrency’s meteoric rise to $109,000 earlier this year, storm clouds are now gathering over the digital asset landscape. CryptoQuant’s CEO has delivered a sobering prediction: Bitcoin’s bull market might be over until 2026. Not exactly what crypto bros wanted to hear.
The warning signs are pretty clear. Bitcoin has tumbled 22% from its all-time high, now hovering around the $83,000-$85,000 range. That’s nearly a 15% monthly decline. Ouch.
On-chain metrics show liquidity drying up faster than a puddle in the Sahara, with whale investors—once Bitcoin’s biggest cheerleaders—now dumping their holdings at decreasing prices. This selling pressure is reminiscent of previous post-halving cycles when miners faced reduced rewards and profitability challenges.
Whales are jumping ship while Bitcoin’s liquidity evaporates, spelling trouble for crypto’s flagship asset.
ETF inflows? Negative for three straight weeks. Not great. The technical indicators look equally grim, with MVRV suggesting market overextension and SOPR showing holders aren’t taking profits like they used to. When the big money starts heading for the exits, retail investors should probably pay attention.
Historical patterns don’t offer much comfort either. Post-halving cycles typically follow predictable trends, with price peaks followed by extended downturns or sideways movements. Average time to market bottom after halving? A whopping 780-990 days. Do the math—that puts us around 2026.
The broader economic picture isn’t helping. Stagflation risks, volatile equity markets, and adjusted Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations all weigh on Bitcoin’s prospects. The upcoming Fed policy meeting will be closely watched for signals about future monetary policy direction. Geopolitical tensions aren’t exactly boosting investor confidence in risk assets either.
Critical support levels between $75,000-$78,000 might determine whether this is just a healthy correction or the beginning of a brutal bear market. Long-term holders appear to be losing momentum while short-term traders absorb losses.
Some analysts remain optimistic, arguing this is just a bump in the road. But the data doesn’t lie. Declining liquidity, bearish metrics, whale sell-offs, and historical cycle patterns all point to one conclusion: Bitcoin’s party might be over—at least until 2026.
