Bitcoin’s recent market trends prompt questions about whether the early 2024 bull run has ended or if there is still potential for further growth into 2025, aligning with historical post-halving peaks. According to CryptoQuant’s Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator, Bitcoin has transitioned into a bear phase after an overheated bull period earlier this year.
Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator | Source: CryptoQuant
In March 2024, Bitcoin surged to an all-time high of $73,750.07, reflecting a significant peak in market optimism. This surge corresponded with an overheated bull phase, where prices significantly exceeded historical averages.
Historically, Bitcoin’s bull markets reach their peaks around 500 days after a halving event, suggesting that the current cycle may not have fully matured.
Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator 2024 | Source: CryptoQuant
However, the realized price chart, which calculates the average price of all Bitcoins based on their last movement, indicates that Bitcoin is still around the midpoint of its cycle.
In previous cycles, the realized price has risen to new highs before the market transitions into a prolonged bear phase. The current data implies that Bitcoin has yet to hit the peak typically observed in past bull markets.
Bitcoin Realized Price Bands | Source: CryptoQuant
Despite entering a bear phase, Bitcoin’s price remains strong compared to the beginning of the year. On Oct. 9, Bitcoin was trading at $62,151, almost doubling its value since January, when it was around $42,000.
This sustained performance suggests robust market support, even amid fluctuations and cooling market sentiment.
Bitcoin market cycles are characterized by periods of rapid growth followed by corrections. The recent shift into a bear phase could signal a temporary consolidation rather than the end of the bull market.
Previous cycles have exhibited similar patterns, with interim bear phases occurring before the market resumes its upward trajectory toward new peaks.
Analysts are debating whether the early 2024 peak represents the cycle’s climax or if Bitcoin will continue to rise into 2025, fitting the historical pattern of bull market tops appearing over a year after the last halving.
The realized price chart supports the possibility of further growth, as the peak typically occurs after surpassing the midpoint, with the upper band currently at $127,000.
Bitcoin Realized Price Bands 2024 | Source: CryptoQuant
Factors such as regulatory developments, the 2024 US Election, institutional adoption, and other macroeconomic conditions could influence Bitcoin’s trajectory in the coming months.
The interplay between the bear/bull market indicator and the realized price suggests that while market sentiment has cooled, underlying fundamentals may still support continued growth. Further, with Bitcoin holding strong above $60,000, it is hard to be bearish on the asset.
The key question remains whether Bitcoin will adhere to its historical cycles, with a significant peak yet to come, or if the early 2024 surge was the pinnacle for this period, bolstering fears of significantly diminishing returns.
