Bitcoin’s Current Bull Cycle Is Unlike Anything We’ve Seen Before

As Bitcoin continues to navigate a turbulent upward trajectory after the latest drawdown from its ATH in Might, analysts are revisiting historic bull markets for context. Nevertheless, this time round, some tendencies seem like evolving.

What might have labored as a predictive mannequin earlier than may not totally clarify the present market conduct.

This Cycle Is Breaking a Few Guidelines

The continuing crypto bull cycle reveals each parallels and key variations when in comparison with earlier cycles. The 2017 bull market was largely upward with intermittent quick corrections, together with a notable 7-8-month-long correction towards the latter half, related in length to the 2024 correction.

However, the 2021 cycle skilled an early prolonged correction because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which lasted roughly a yr earlier than transitioning into a serious rally with minimal interruptions. That sequence, characterised by deep corrections adopted by sharp good points, has change into an indicator of crypto bull runs.

The current cycle started with acquainted short-lived pullbacks and rallies, however since early 2024, Bitcoin has undergone two distinct phases of speedy good points adopted by steep corrections. Between March-November 2024 and January-April 2025, altcoins notably lagged behind Bitcoin, which triggered widespread warning and weakened sentiment. Whereas transient surges reignited optimism, continued resistance has capped momentum.

In contrast to prior cycles, this one seems to be influenced by repeated episodes of abrupt suppression following sturdy rallies, which CryptoQuant interprets as interventions by massive entities in a bid to mood extreme hypothesis and prolong the general cycle.

This conduct suggests a deliberate slowdown to forestall overheating, thereby deviating from previous euphoric breakouts. Finally, regardless of these moderating patterns, the cycle is anticipated to conclude with a basic euphoric blow-off part.

Bitcoin’s “Boring” 12 months, However What’s Forward?

Although present value motion lacked fireworks, market observers imagine it marks an important inflection level in crypto historical past. The asset’s sideways buying and selling conceals a major shift in investor base, from retail speculators to company and institutional holders like Constancy and BlackRock.

Between long-time holders cashing out above $100,000 whereas Millennials allocate generational wealth into Bitcoin, Swan analysts argue it is a strategic accumulation part. Mounting macroeconomic uncertainty additional tightens provide, which positions the marketplace for future explosive strikes as Bitcoin turns into a everlasting stability sheet fixture for main entities.