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Expert: Bitcoin’s Year-End Dip Doesn’t Spell Trouble for Early 2026

TL;DR

• Volatility outlook: Pompliano says compressed volatility makes a 70% or 80% BTC crash unlikely, framing muted year-end action as potential fuel for early 2026 strength.
• Long-term gains: Bitcoin rose 100% in two years and nearly 300% in three, reinforcing resilience despite missed $250,000 rally calls and investor disappointment.
• Market signals: Analysts expect Q1 2026 to be critical, with consolidation more probable than extremes, highlighting investor focus on whether the current cycle still has room to run.
  

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Bitcoin’s performance in 2025 has left many investors disappointed, with the asset trading 2.81% lower for the year and holiday trading volumes drying up. Hopes of a Santa rally faded, but analysts argue that the lack of a year-end surge does not necessarily signal weakness in the months ahead.

Pompliano Sees Opportunity in Volatility Compression

Bitcoin entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano told CNBC that the absence of a Q4 rally could set the stage for stronger performance in Q1 2026. He emphasized that Bitcoin’s volatility has compressed significantly, making a dramatic 70% or 80% drawdown unlikely. Pompliano argued that the muted year-end action may actually serve as a catalyst for renewed momentum, rather than a precursor to collapse.

Long-Term Gains Remain Intact

Despite unmet expectations of a $250,000 rally by year-end, Pompliano highlighted Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory. He noted that BTC has climbed about 100% over the past two years and nearly 300% over the last three. “We have to remember that Bitcoin is up 100% in two years. It’s up almost 300% in three years. It has been compounding,” he said, describing the asset as “a monster in financial markets.” These gains underscore resilience even amid short-term disappointment.

Volatility Decline Overlooked by Market

Pompliano also pointed out that Bitcoin’s declining volatility has received less attention than its price pullback. He observed that while investors did not see the blowoff top expected in late Q3 or early Q4, they also avoided the steep 80% drawdowns typical of past cycles. This moderation suggests a maturing market dynamic, where extreme swings are less likely even as sentiment fluctuates.

Analysts Eye Critical Q1 2026 Period

Crypto market analyst Daan Crypto Trades described recent trading as uneventful but stressed that Q1 2026 will be pivotal. Investors will watch closely to determine whether Bitcoin’s current cycle has more room to run or has already peaked. Asset manager VanEck added that Bitcoin is likely to enter 2026 with “mixed but constructive” signals, expecting consolidation rather than sharp rallies or downturns. Together, these views frame early 2026 as a decisive period for Bitcoin’s trajectory.