Brutal Start: Bitcoin Records Fourth-Worst Q1 Since 2013

TL;DR

• Bitcoin fell 23.21% in Q1 2026, marking its fourth-worst first quarter since 2013, while Ethereum dropped 33.73%, its third-weakest Q1 since 2016.
• Both assets remain significantly below their 2025 all-time highs, reflecting an extended post-peak correction.
• However, short-term momentum has turned positive, with Bitcoin up 4.34% and Ethereum up 4.04% in the last 24 hours, as long-term investors continue to outline bullish price targets.
  

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Bitcoin records its fourth-worst Q1 since 2013 after declining 23.21% in the first three months of 2026, according to CoinGlass data. The result sharply contrasts with its historical average Q1 return of 45.90%, underscoring the scale of the current reset. Ethereum mirrors that weakness, sliding 33.73% during Q1 and posting its third-softest first quarter since 2016.

Even amid this downturn, price action has stabilized in recent sessions. Bitcoin trades at $69,070, gaining 4.34% over the past 24 hours, while Ethereum stands at $2,041, up 4.04% in the same period. The rebound suggests buyers are stepping in after months of corrective pressure.

Bitcoin Records Fourth Worst Q1 Since 2013 Amid Market Adjustment

Historical comparisons place the decline in perspective. Bitcoin’s sharpest first-quarter drop occurred in 2018, when it fell 49.7% following the previous cycle peak. Additional weak openings came in 2014 and 2015, with losses of 37.42% and 24.14%, respectively. The 2026 performance ranks among these challenging starts but remains short of record extremes.

Ethereum shows a comparable pattern. Its steepest Q1 contraction came in 2018 with a 46.61% decline, followed by a 45.41% drop in 2025. The current 33.73% retracement reinforces how digital assets often experience deep corrections after major highs.

Both cryptocurrencies remain well below their 2025 records. Bitcoin reached $126,180 in October 2025 and now trades roughly 45% lower, while Ethereum peaked at $4,946 in August 2025 and sits nearly 59% beneath that level. The pullback reflects post-rally consolidation and tighter global liquidity conditions rather than a collapse in network activity.

Institutional Confidence And Long Term Outlook Remain Firm

Despite near-term volatility, institutional conviction remains intact. At the World Liberty Forum in Mar-a-Lago, Eric Trump stated that Bitcoin could eventually reach $1 million. Investor Ric Edelman projected a potential rise toward $500,000 by 2030, pointing to gradual institutional allocation. Brokerage firm Bernstein continues to back a $150,000 target for this year.

On-chain data indicates that long-term holders continue accumulating, while exchange reserves trend below previous cycle highs. That supply dynamic supports the view that structural demand persists beneath short-term fluctuations.