Bitcoin Drops 15% From Peak, Analysts Predict 100% Gains By 2026

Bitcoin has continued its downward trend, trading below $80,000 as of today, despite a brief surge to $94,000 last week. This decline has dampened investor optimism, but some analysts remain bullish on the cryptocurrency's long-term prospects.

One analyst, ibrahimcosar, a contributor to the QuickTake platform, has predicted that Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by 2026. This prediction is based on historical price cycles and institutional projections that align with his forecast. According to Ibrahim, Bitcoin's price movements over the past year have followed a familiar pattern seen in previous bull cycles. He believes that the asset has the potential to more than double in value within the next two years, reaching the $150K–$200K range in the upcoming bull cycle.

Investors who enter the market at current levels could see over 100% returns if Bitcoin reaches its predicted target by 2026. However, timing the market correctly is crucial, as buying at key support levels has historically presented the most favorable opportunities for long-term gains. Ibrahim emphasized that those investing in Bitcoin at these levels have the potential to gain over 100% in dollar terms without even waiting a year. Buying in the right regions and at the right times can present significant opportunities.

While long-term projections remain bullish, Bitcoin’s short-term price action continues to fluctuate. Another analyst, BilalHuseynov, provided insights into open interest (OI) trends, which may indicate whether this is a favorable time to buy Bitcoin. According to BilalHuseynov, the 7-day change in open interest has entered a “deleveraging” phase, a signal that has historically aligned with potential buying opportunities. The last time this occurred was in August 2024, when Bitcoin was trading between $58,000 and $60,000 before rallying to an all-time high of $106K. If historical trends repeat, the current market conditions could set the stage for a similar recovery.