Has Bitcoin’s 2026 bear market bottomed following the 45-week signal return?

Data from Galaxy Research indicates that Bitcoin’s 2026 cycle low is likely in, spurred by a 30% price recovery since August and the return of a key technical signal absent for 45 weeks. This shift suggests that the worst of the year's selling pressure has dissipated, providing a stronger foundation for a bullish trend through Q4 2026.
Has Bitcoin’s 2026 bear market bottomed following the 45-week signal return?

Bitcoin appears to have established its 2026 bear market floor following the reappearance of a critical technical signal that had been absent for nearly 45 weeks. Head of Research at Galaxy, Alex Thorn, notes that the combination of this returning indicator and Bitcoin’s 30% appreciation since the August lows provides a compelling case that the cycle's bottom is now behind us. This development marks a pivotal transition for the asset, moving it from a state of persistent downward pressure to a structural recovery phase.

In terms of recent price action, Bitcoin has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite a historically volatile September. The leading cryptocurrency managed to close the month in the green with gains of 3.33%, defying typical seasonal trends that often see liquidity pullbacks during this period. Analysts point to the 30% bounce from the August support levels as evidence of strong institutional accumulation, suggesting that major players are viewing current price levels as a long-term value zone.

For US-based investors and traders, this 45-week signal is a significant gauge of market sentiment and liquidity cycles. Its absence throughout much of 2025 and early 2026 reflected a period of deep caution and capital preservation; its return typically precedes a period of decreased volatility and steady upward momentum. As the Federal Reserve's 2026 monetary policy continues to influence risk assets, the stabilization of Bitcoin's price floor offers a necessary baseline for broader crypto market growth.

Moving forward, market participants should closely monitor whether Bitcoin can maintain its position above the August lows during the next set of macroeconomic data releases. While the signal suggests the bottom is in, geopolitical tensions and shifting US regulatory stances remain the primary risks to this bullish thesis. If Bitcoin holds these levels through the end of the year, the 45-week signal could go down as the definitive marker for the end of the 2026 crypto winter.

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