CoinMarketCap (CMC) Research Head Alice Liu projects that the next major crypto bull cycle will kick off in Q1 2026, adding a striking contrast to the sentiment surrounding today’s price action.
Bitcoin’s recent volatility has kept the market on edge. After briefly reclaiming the $90,000 region earlier in the week, the asset remains almost 30% below its October record high.
CNBC host Dan Murphy discussed the turbulence, noting that nearly $20 billion in leveraged positions were flushed out during the latest downturn. At the same time, perpetual funding rates slid into negative territory as traders shifted toward stablecoins.
CMC data shows the total crypto market added 1.1% over 72 hours, driven by improved risk appetite and institutional flows into Ethereum. BlackRock’s ETHA ETF brought in $53 million, offsetting Bitcoin ETF outflows. In comparison, BNB Chain’s market cap rebounded by $8.3 billion amid ecosystem expansion.
Even so, leverage remains subdued, with open interest up only 1.14%, and macro-correlation signals remain mixed.
