Bitcoin’s $126K Sprint May Be Over — Fidelity Predicts 2026 Slide
Fidelity’s high markets strategist has warned that Bitcoin’s October high of $126,000 might mark the highest of the present cycle, and buyers must be prepared for a tough experience in 2026.
According to Jurrien Timmer, a notable pullback is feasible subsequent yr with key assist seen in a variety of $65,000 to $75,000. That view sits alongside knowledge factors and dealer commentary that recall previous massive drops after sharp peaks.
Cycle Warning From Fidelity
Timmer mentioned Bitcoin’s price historical past follows a roughly four-year rhythm tied to halvings. Past peaks have been adopted by steep corrections of about 70 to 85%.
For instance, after a high of $1,137 in 2013 the worth slipped to roughly $230, and the 2017 peak close to $14,050 later traded down towards $3,415. Prices surged once more after 2021, and that sample of parabolic advance then sharp retreat has been repeated. Some merchants say these falls are checks of persistence fairly than an indication the story is damaged.
Fidelity Warns: #Bitcoin Cycle Peak May Already Be In
Fidelity’s Jurrien Timmer believes the $126K October high was the highest for this cycle. Based on $BTC 4-year halving sample, He expects 2026 to be a down yr, with assist round $65K–$75K.
Short-Term Pain, Long-Term… pic.twitter.com/t9wNeF5lTo
— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) December 21, 2025
Historical Charts Show Parabolic Moves
Reports have disclosed that long-term log charts assist put these swings in perspective by displaying share progress throughout cycles, which might make big-dollar strikes simpler to learn.
Market motion usually seems to be like a speedy climb to a peak, a fast drop, and a protracted interval the place costs transfer sideways and features really feel gradual. Those sideways stretches are the place many long-term holders are rewarded, although it could take years.
BTC will hit $250k by year-end 2027. 2026 is just too chaotic to foretell, although Bitcoin making new all-time highs in 2026 remains to be doable. Options markets are at present pricing about equal odds of $70k or $130k for month-end June 2026, and equal odds of $50k or $250k by year-end…
— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) December 21, 2025
Galaxy Research has flagged overlapping macro and market dangers that make forecasting more durable for 2026, and choices and volatility tendencies recommend Bitcoin is behaving extra like a macro asset than a pure progress gamble. Galaxy Research remains to be bullish on a multi-year view and tasks a path towards $250,000 by the top of 2027.
First Quarter Patterns May Matter
Based on experiences from merchants, the primary quarter has in previous cycles been a interval that usually helps worth stability, though current years have proven much less regularity. Large inflows and treasury buys that would arrive in 2025 is perhaps offset by early-cycle promoting from massive holders.
The steadiness between institutional demand and whale provide will seemingly present itself within the first half of 2026, making that stretch vital for whether or not historic four-year rhythms maintain agency.
Featured picture from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
