Bitcoin Cycle Far From Over — Here’s What’s Happening

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-01-18Last updated on 2026-01-18

Abstract

Bitcoin prices are consolidating around $95,000, withstanding the lingering effects of a significant Q4 2025 correction. Despite a 33% pullback from its all-time high of $126,198, the bull cycle is believed to persist. On-chain analysis reveals a redistribution of market risk. Short-term holders (1w-3m) are in profit, experiencing low psychological stress. In contrast, mid to long-term holders (3m-12m) are under pressure as their average acquisition costs ($114,808 and $100,748) are above the current spot price. Their decision to hold, rather than sell, is crucial. For the cycle to continue, a sustained bullish narrative is needed to keep these investors from exiting, allowing prices to rise and ease their losses.

Bitcoin prices continue to consolidate within the $95,000 zone following the pullback in the latter part of the past week. The premier cryptocurrency is experiencing a bullish January performance marked by a net gain of 11.42% since the new year commenced. However, the effects of the extended price correction from Q4 2025 linger. Using recent on-chain data, a market analyst with the username MorenoDV_ has identified certain holder cohorts who are still experiencing extreme psychological stress that could impact future price trajectory.

Bitcoin Market Risk Redistribution Ongoing – Here’s Why

In a QuickTake post on January 17, MorenoDV_ postulates that the Bitcoin bull cycle remains on despite the negative events of Q4 2025. Notably, the crypto market leader experienced a heavy 33% price correction after hitting its current all-time high ($126,198) in early October.

Although Bitcoin has recorded some modest price recovery in the past month, significant expectations of a bear market remain, driven by a diminished market demand and failure to reclaim key technical levels such as the 365-day MA. Using the data from the Realized Price by UTXO Age Bands, MorenoDV explains that the Bitcoin market is actively redistributing risk. This positive development counters the bearish narrative of a market cycle ending.

Source: CryptoQuant

With the present spot price around $95,583, the CryptoQuant metric shows that psychological stress is unevenly distributed among Bitcoin holders. Notably, short-term holders, i.e., 1w-1m and 1m-3m cohorts, have realized prices, i.e., $89,255 and $93,504, respectively, below the spot price. This data suggests that these classes of investors are in profit and are experiencing low market pressure, which helps keep fear at bay.

However, mid-term holders of 3m-6m and long-term holders of 6m-12m have realized prices of $114,808, and $100,748 both of which are significantly above the present spot price. However, both holder cohorts have chosen to bear the discomfort by absorbing losses rather than initiating an aggressive redistribution.

Therefore, as the spot price rises towards the realized price levels of these stressed cohorts, losses are expected to significantly reduce, eventually easing these pressures on these classes of holders and balancing the market risk. This market development only occurs if the 3m-6m and 6m-12m continue to interpret the present market drawdown as a mere cyclical discomfort rather than a change in market structure. Therefore, there is a need for a sustained bullish narrative and constructive price behavior to keep these investors from seeking a market exit.

Bitcoin Price Overview

At press time, Bitcoin trades at $95,265, reflecting a modest 5.3% gain in the last week.

BTC trading at $95,121 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT chart on Tradingview.com

Related Questions

QWhat is the current Bitcoin price zone mentioned in the article and what was its net gain in January?

ABitcoin is consolidating within the $95,000 zone and has experienced a net gain of 11.42% in January.

QAccording to analyst MorenoDV_, what is the significance of the Realized Price by UTXO Age Bands data for the Bitcoin market?

AThe data shows that the Bitcoin market is actively redistributing risk, which is a positive development that counters the bearish narrative of a market cycle ending.

QWhich specific holder cohorts are currently experiencing psychological stress and are in a loss position relative to the spot price?

AThe 3m-6m and 6m-12m holder cohorts have realized prices of $114,808 and $100,748 respectively, which are significantly above the present spot price, putting them in a loss position and causing psychological stress.

QWhat condition is necessary for the losses of the stressed holder cohorts to be significantly reduced?

AThe spot price needs to rise towards the realized price levels of the 3m-6m and 6m-12m cohorts to significantly reduce their losses and ease market pressure.

QWhat two things are needed to prevent the stressed mid-term and long-term holders from seeking a market exit?

AA sustained bullish narrative and constructive price behavior are needed to keep these investors from seeking a market exit.

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