Solana Founder Warns of 18-Month Bear Market as CZ Unfollows Him on X

Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko has suggested that the current crypto market downturn could extend into a prolonged 18-month bear market, potentially lasting until mid-2027.

The remarks, made in the context of post-October 2025 market stress, were followed by a notable social media reaction: Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, unfollowed Yakovenko on X on January 31, 2026.

The sequence of events has drawn attention across the industry, highlighting growing philosophical and strategic differences among leading crypto figures during a period of heightened market uncertainty.

Yakovenko’s 18-Month Bear Market Thesis

Yakovenko’s comments emerged during a broader discussion about the lasting impact of the October 2025 liquidation event, which erased tens of billions of dollars in leveraged positions across crypto markets.

He argued that an extended downturn, while painful for prices, could ultimately be constructive for the ecosystem. According to Yakovenko, an 18-month period of lower prices or stagnation would reduce speculative excess and allow developers to focus on building meaningful infrastructure rather than chasing short-term hype.

As historical context, he pointed to Solana’s recovery following the 2022 FTX collapse, noting that it took approximately 18 months for the network to regain bull-market conditions. His remarks implied that the current cycle may follow a similar trajectory.

Despite the bearish tone on market structure, Yakovenko has remained optimistic about longer-term technological progress. He has previously stated that he expects the stablecoin market to exceed $1 trillion and believes artificial intelligence could solve major mathematical problems as early as 2026.

The CZ Unfollow and Rising Industry Tensions

Shortly after Yakovenko’s comments circulated, CZ unfollowed him on X, a move widely interpreted as signaling rising tension rather than a casual social media adjustment.

The unfollow reportedly came after Yakovenko retweeted a post from Star Xu, founder of OKX, which accused Binance of “irresponsible marketing” and alleged that its promotion of leveraged yield products contributed to the October 2025 flash crash.

Yakovenko added a sarcastic comment to the retweet, referencing the 18-month recovery timeline, which many interpreted as a pointed critique of the current market environment and the role of large exchanges within it.

CZ’s reaction stands in contrast to his own public outlook. He has recently expressed a strongly bullish view, predicting a Bitcoin “supercycle” in 2026 driven by pro-crypto regulatory shifts, with long-term price targets ranging from $250,000 to $400,000.

Solana’s Market Outlook for 2026

While the personal dynamics between industry leaders have captured attention, Solana’s market outlook remains mixed.

On the bearish side, some analysts warn that SOL could face deeper downside if it fails to hold macro support around $105, with longer-term downside scenarios pointing toward the $30–$40 range during an extended bear phase.

More constructive forecasts, however, anticipate a recovery later in 2026. Bullish projections cite the upcoming Firedancer upgrade and increasing institutional interest as potential catalysts that could support a move back toward the $150–$185 range by mid-2026.

As the market continues to digest the aftermath of the October 2025 liquidation event, Yakovenko’s comments, and the reaction they provoked, underscore a broader debate within crypto: whether the industry is entering a prolonged rebuilding phase, or merely pausing before the next expansionary cycle.

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