1 Sign Bitcoin Could Be Poised for a Comeback in 2026
Key Points
Bitcoin hasn't had consecutive losing years yet.
It lost value in 2025, so if it continues its usual pattern, it will deliver positive returns this year.
Bitcoin ETF inflows have picked up in March, potentially indicating the start of a recovery.
- 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin ›
The crypto market is the definition of boom or bust. Last year, market leader Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) started out strong, eventually setting a new high of $126,198 in October. But it's down about 45% since then and 19% year to date, as of March 26.
While these downturns have lasted for years before, one pattern suggests Bitcoin will bounce back over the rest of the year.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
Bitcoin price data is available back to 2010. Since that time, Bitcoin has never had two consecutive losing years, even during extended bear markets. The leading cryptocurrency has had four years so far during which its price declined: 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2025.
If the pattern holds, Bitcoin will follow up its losses in 2025 with a positive return in 2026. Also worth noting is that when Bitcoin wins, it tends to win big. Its lowest positive return in a calendar year was 34% in 2015, and it more than doubled in 2023 and 2024.
There's no guarantee that Bitcoin will continue to avoid consecutive yearly losses, but there's a sign it's starting to recover. After four months of net outflows for Bitcoin ETFs, meaning more money went out than came in, March has reversed that trend so far. There have been about $1.3 billion in net Bitcoin ETF inflows, according to data from BiTBO.
Bitcoin is highly volatile, and I wouldn't recommend buying too much in hopes of a comeback. But based on previous trends and Bitcoin ETF inflows, this could be an opportunity to buy the dip.
Should you buy stock in Bitcoin right now?
Before you buy stock in Bitcoin, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Bitcoin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $503,861!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,026,987!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 884% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
See the 10 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 30, 2026.
Lyle Daly has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Recommended Articles
