Bitcoin Bulls May Have to Wait Until 2026 for a BTC Price Reversal

Bitcoin (BTC) may see a โ€œshock moveโ€ that brings back BTC price upside โ€” but not until 2026.

Key points:

  • The next Bitcoin price bottom will take until 2026 to hit, new analysis concludes.

  • Declining trading volume leaves little chance of a short-term bull market comeback.

  • Sell-side pressure is cooling, and price could rally to $99,000 as a result.

BTC price bottom: Not until 2026?

In his latest YouTube analysis Thursday, crypto commentator Jason Pizzino forecast up to a year of lower lows for BTC/USD.

Bitcoin may not reach its long-term bottom until as late as October 2026.

Summarizing current market trends, Pizzino referenced community expectations that BTC/USD will form a bounce zone at some point during the coming 11 months.

โ€œAs I said, weโ€™ve got some time,โ€ he said.

โ€œI think itโ€™s still too early to know whether this is going to be a low that then pushes to a new all-time high or a low that then pushes to a major lower high because of where we sit in the 18-year cycle.โ€

Pizzino referenced risk-asset behavior as it relates to the 18-year cycle theory involving real estate markets.

To get to its reversal zone, he specifically focused on Bitcoin trading volume grinding lower in a manner similar to the end of 2022 and into 2023, the springboard for the current bull market.

โ€œAnd thatโ€™s where these shock moves happen because the majority are not watching,โ€ he said.

Pizzino saw even less chance of a major trend change occurring in the short term, with the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) forming stiff resistance overhead and trader risk appetite nowhere to be seen, as shown by a balanced long/short ratio.

Bitcoin taker buy/sell volume (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass

Sellers hold the key to $99,000 rebound

On the topic of investor behavior, onchain analytics platform CryptoQuant sees a potential period of consolidation before a new market frenzy.

Related: Bitcoin retail inflows to Binance โ€˜collapseโ€™ to 400 BTC record low in 2025

In its latest weekly report sent to Cointelegraph on Tuesday, titled โ€œThe Calm Before The Vol,โ€ researchers flagged declining exchange inflows from large-volume entities.

โ€œThe share of total deposits from large players has declined from a 24-hour average high of 47% in mid-November to 21% as of today,โ€ it reported.

โ€œAt the same time, the average deposit has shrunk 36% from 1.1 BTC in November 22 to 0.7 BTC currently. The selling pressure eases when large players decrease their transfers into crypto exchanges.โ€

Bitcoin exchange inflow data (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuant

CryptoQuant predicted that sustained reductions in selling pressure could send BTC/USD back to $99,000.

โ€œThis level is the lower band of the Trader On-chain Realized Price bands, which is a price resistance during bear markets. After this level, the key price resistances are $102K (one-year moving average), and $112K (the Trader On-chain Realized price),โ€ it added.

Bitcoin trader onchain realized price bands (screenshot). Source: CryptoQuant

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.