The Breakdown Bitcoin Starts 2026 in Uncharted Territory
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Jan 5, 2026 Bitcoin starts 2026 in a notably subdued environment following a flat year. The discussion highlights the unusual dynamics of 2025, including the muted price movements and a lack of typical investor excitement. Speculation has shifted from crypto to traditional tech stocks, leaving altcoins in the dust. ETF inflows indicate institutional interest despite turbulent price action. There's speculation about the fading relevance of the four-year cycle, and the performance of precious metals is explored as a potential influence on Bitcoin's future.
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Post-Halving Year Showed Unusual Calm
- Bitcoin closed 2025 down about 6% and traded near $89,000, an unusually muted performance for the year after a halving.
- The post-halving period lacked the typical parabolic highs or catastrophic crashes seen in prior cycles.
Early 2024 Moves Siphoned Momentum
- Much of 2025's upside was front-loaded into 2024 from ETF launches and the election-driven Trump bump.
- That left 2025 choppy and flat despite an October run to all-time highs and no major blow-off or crash.
Speculation Shifted Away From Crypto
- Speculators and retail traders largely moved on from crypto into other markets, leaving Bitcoin steadier than altcoins.
- Altcoins suffered severe drawdowns while Bitcoin maintained a mild pullback supported by ETF buyers.