What is the Bitcoin Market Cycle?

The Bitcoin market cycle refers to the recurring pattern of price behaviour in the Bitcoin market, characterised by alternating periods of appreciation and depreciation. This cycle is a result of market participants’ perceptions and actions, such as buying and selling, and is influenced by a variety of factors, including market sentiment, regulatory changes, technological developments and the wider economy.

Historically, Bitcoin has followed a four-year cycle tied to Bitcoin halving events, which happen approximately every 4 years. A halving event marks a 50% cut in the Bitcoin reward miners receive for mining new blocks and verifying transactions; in effect Bitcoin supply continues to increase, but at a slower rate. The knock-on effect can be a steep increase in price, assuming the demand for Bitcoin remains the same or increases after a halving. The next halving is due April 2024, when the block reward will fall to 3.125 bitcoins.

What are the Bitcoin Market Cycle Phases?

Phase 1 – Accumulation

Occurs when prices are low, but small signs of growth appear. During this phase buyers will accumulate cheaper Bitcoin and so it represents the point of maximal financial opportunity.

Typically, there is bearish sentiment in the market so volume is low and prices are fluctuating in a tight range, near the bottom.

Phase 2 – Continuation

The price continues moving towards the all time high. A halving event has historically occurred here, coinciding with shrinking exchange reserves as buyers hoover up supply as they look to capture rising prices in anticipation of new all-time highs.

Phase 3 – Parabolic

When the price eclipses the previous all-time high, price action will start to move exponentially to the upside pushing the price to a new all-time high, which has exceeded the previous landmark by a significant factor. This phase is extremely volatile, with rapid price increases followed by large corrections

Sell volume builds as a portion of investors lock in healthy profits, while many market participants will continue buying believing the bull market has more room to run. As a result, price volatility is low given the buy and sell volumes begin to balance against a backdrop of overconfidence. At this point, many investors would see the Fear & Greed Index flashing Extreme Greed.

Phase 4 – Correction

Following the euphoria of the Parabolic phase, this is when the market will see a major correction to the downside. Previous bear market periods have resulted in approximately 80% drawdowns from the top and negative price action for approximately a year. The most recent example saw the price tumble from an all-time high of $69,000 (November 2021) to $15,476 (November 2022).

The chart below shows the cyclical nature of Bitcoin’s price and how it has played out in the past.

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