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How has the first month of 2026 reshaped the cryptocurrency market outlooks presented at the end of 2025? Examining Bitcoin’s price trajectory reveals a continuation of the trend that emerged in late 2025. Bitcoin continues to trade within a $70,000-$90,000 corridor, down 20-30 percent year-on-year. This pattern extends to other leading cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum and Solana.
What accounts for this departure from earlier, more optimistic projections? BITmarkets presents its analysis in the following report.
We observe two countervailing forces at work. The positive force stems from the evolving regulatory landscape, as developed economies implement comprehensive frameworks for crypto assets, creating a more structured environment for institutional participation.
Geopolitical Headwinds and the Crypto Winter Hypothesis
However, a counterforce substantially mitigates these regulatory advances: persistent global uncertainty that continues to unsettle key market participants. These uncertainties appear to be intensifying rather than abating. While conflicts in Ukraine and Israel persist, additional geopolitical flashpoints threaten to destabilize the global economy.
 
Chief among these concerns is U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing threats to impose tariffs on both military and trade allies. The justifications shift—from alleged trade imbalances between the U.S. and EU to territorial ambitions regarding Greenland—but the uncertainty remains constant.
Moreover, another significant factor may underpin Bitcoin’s recent decline and current stagnation: the cryptocurrency industry may have entered a so-called crypto winter, characterized by prolonged stagnation or losses. The last crypto winter lasted from late 2021 through 2023, coinciding with the trial and conviction of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. During that period, Bitcoin plummeted 70 percent from its peak.
Evolving Expectations Through Winter 2026
While the initial optimism has dissipated, there’s equally little cause for outright pessimism. The market could sustain its current stagnation, experience further decline, or stage a significant rally—all remain plausible scenarios.
BITmarkets compiled expert views on Bitcoin throughout January, surveying analysts and major crypto industry players. The consensus identified the $80,000-$90,000 range as a strategic buying opportunity. Analysts offered projections ranging from “We see the improving regulatory backdrop as a key driver of continued institutional crypto adoption” to “Bitcoin will reach $100,000 by the end of the first quarter, potentially achieving a new record of $128,000 if macroeconomic conditions prove favorable.”
The reality in early February, however, tells a different story.
The Evolving Digital Finance Landscape in 2026
What remains certain is that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices will increasingly depend on how the digital finance ecosystem takes shape. As regulatory frameworks mature, the digital asset space has captured the attention of traditional financial institutions.
These institutions are already integrating digital assets into their core operations. JPMorgan recently issued its USD deposit token, JPM Coin, on a public blockchain. Similarly, Citi integrated Citi Token Services with 24/7 USD Clearing for real-time cross-border payments and liquidity management.
Financial services companies across the value chain—including asset managers, financial market infrastructures, payment providers, fintechs, and institutional investors—are incorporating blockchain-enabled solutions into their operations.
Stakeholders throughout financial markets are increasingly adopting distributed ledger technology to reduce friction, enhance transparency, and lower transaction costs. This evolution of the digital finance environment is absolutely critical for crypto asset valuations. Consequently, 2026 may prove more determinative for the entire DeFi ecosystem than any previous year.
The Bitcoin Question
We observe—and this applies not only to Bitcoin but especially to Ethereum—that growth in adoption does not necessarily translate to price appreciation, at least not in the short term.
We can only speculate that the winter afflicting Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies will thaw with the arrival of spring. Whether that spring arrives in 2026 remains to be seen.
Author: Ali Daylami, Head of Data Analytics at BITmarkets
About BITmarkets
BITmarkets is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers 24/7 support in more than 14 languages. Traders can engage in trading over 200 cryptocurrencies, as well as gain access to daily market updates and diverse educational materials. Security is a top priority at BITmarkets, with 99.9% of client funds held in cold storage. BITmarkets continues to reshape the way digital assets are used by both retail and institutional clients, focusing on making cryptocurrency more accessible, straightforward, and better connected to the broader financial world. Learn more about BITmarkets’ license and regulatory framework, and for general information, visit www.bitmarkets.com or the exchange’s listing on CoinMarketCap.com.
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Source: https://zycrypto.com/bitmarkets-2026-crypto-outlook-januarys-chill-signals-a-bitcoin-winter/