How Long Could the 2026 Bitcoin Bear Market Last?

Bitcoin’s recovery during a period of extreme market fear could carry significant meaning for investors who hesitate to reallocate capital. However, by the final week of February, Bitcoin’s price had not shown clear positive signals.

Some historical data suggests how long negative sentiment may persist.

The Next Six Months Could Test Investor Patience

According to Glassnode, the Realized Profit/Loss Ratio (90D-SMA) provides an important signal for assessing market conditions.

Realized Profit represents the total USD value of all coins moved on-chain at a price higher than their acquisition cost. Realized Loss represents the total USD value of all coins moved at a price lower than their acquisition cost.

Glassnode applies a 90-day moving average to smooth daily volatility. This method helps identify the dominant market trend over the past three months.

When the ratio stays above 1.0, profits dominate. The market operates in a net profit state, and investors primarily sell to lock in gains. When the ratio falls below 1.0, losses dominate. Most participants who move coins realize losses, often through capitulation. This condition typically appears during bear markets.

Current data shows that the ratio dropped below 1 in February for the first time since 2022. Historically, periods below 1 have lasted around six months.

Bear market cycles in 2015, 2018, and 2022 followed this six-month pattern. This history suggests that Bitcoin could enter a prolonged downturn or remain stagnant at low levels until the end of Q3 this year.

Or Possibly Just One More Month

Monthly performance data offers a different perspective.

February could mark the fifth consecutive negative month for Bitcoin. Historically, the longest losing streak lasted 6 months before the market reversed sharply.

This reasoning suggests that Bitcoin could recover as early as April. That timeline would arrive much sooner than the projection implied by Glassnode’s analysis.

History may not repeat itself exactly, but it at least provides a logical reference. If the analysis relies solely on the magnitude of the decline, a statistic from the account “Priced in ₿itcoin” suggests favorable opportunities for investors who can buy at lower prices.

Meanwhile, the latest analysis from BeInCrypto emphasizes the importance of the $60,000 level. Analysts view this price as a critical boundary that could help determine Bitcoin’s trend in the coming months.