Bitcoin Price Bottom Could Be Around $40,000, On-Chain Data Shows

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-02-22Last updated on 2026-02-22

Abstract

Based on on-chain data analysis by Ali Martinez, the Bitcoin price bottom in the current bear market could be around $40,000. This projection hinges on the cost basis of long-term holders (LTH), investors who have held their coins for over 155 days. Historically, this level acts as a strong support during downturns, as these investors are less likely to sell and often increase their buying when the price approaches their average acquisition cost, which is currently approximately $40,363. If selling pressure does not overwhelm this renewed buying activity, this cost basis could mark the market bottom. Currently, Bitcoin is trading near $68,330, down over 45% from its all-time high.

The biggest question so far in the bear phase has been when and where the Bitcoin price will bounce back. According to the latest on-chain data, there might be a fresh answer as to where the price bottom will be in the current bear market.

Here’s Why $40,000 Could Be Pivotal To The Bear Market

In a recent post on the X platform, crypto analyst Ali Martinez identified the $40,000 level as a potential bottom for the Bitcoin price in the current market phase. This projection is based on the cost basis of an old investor cohort known as the long-term holders (LTH)

For context, the cost basis of long-term holders refers to the average price at which Bitcoin investors (who have held their coins for 155 days or more) acquired their coins. This price level is often relevant because long-term investors are often referred to as diamond hands, who are less likely to sell during periods of downside volatility.

Moreover, the LTH cost basis tends to act as the ultimate support level during bear markets, as most long-term investors are usually still in profit even in the thick of the bear market. Hence, when the Bitcoin price falls to this support, the long-term holders double down on their positions.

Source: @ali_charts on X

This renewed buying activity by the long-term holders would prop up the price of the premier cryptocurrency above their cost basis, as observed in the chart above. According to the highlighted data, the LTH cost basis is currently around $40,363, about 40% from the current price point.

If the Bitcoin price were to face further downside pressure and approach this cost basis, there is a likelihood it would receive support from the long-term investors’ increased reaccumulation. Hence, this cost basis could become the bottom for the current bear market.

On the flip side, the Bitcoin market could face an even deeper correction if the selling pressure overwhelms the long-term holders’ reaccumulation spree.

Bitcoin Price Overview

As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $68,330, reflecting a nearly 1% increase in the past 24 hours. However, this mild single-day action does little to correct the over 2% price decline witnessed by the premier cryptocurrency over the past week. According to data from CoinGecko, the Bitcoin price is currently down from its all-time high by more than 45%.

The price of BTC on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Related Questions

QWhat is the on-chain data suggesting about the potential price bottom for Bitcoin in the current bear market?

AThe on-chain data suggests that the price bottom for Bitcoin could be around $40,000, based on the cost basis of long-term holders.

QWho are the 'long-term holders' (LTH) mentioned in the analysis, and why is their cost basis significant?

ALong-term holders are investors who have held their Bitcoin for 155 days or more. Their cost basis is significant because it often acts as a strong support level during bear markets, as these investors are less likely to sell and may even buy more when the price approaches their average purchase price.

QWhat is the specific cost basis for long-term holders that is cited as a potential support level?

AThe specific cost basis for long-term holders is currently around $40,363.

QWhat could happen if the selling pressure in the market overpowers the buying activity of long-term holders?

AIf the selling pressure overwhelms the long-term holders' reaccumulation, the Bitcoin market could experience an even deeper correction beyond the $40,000 support level.

QWhat was the price of Bitcoin and its performance at the time of writing, according to the article?

AAt the time of writing, the price of Bitcoin was around $68,330, reflecting a nearly 1% increase in the past 24 hours, but it was still down over 2% for the week and more than 45% from its all-time high.

Related Reads

20 Billion Valuation, Alibaba and Tencent Competing to Invest, Whose Money Will Liang Wenfeng Take?

DeepSeek, an AI startup founded by Liang Wenfeng, is reportedly in talks with Alibaba and Tencent for an external funding round that could value the company at over $20 billion. This marks a significant shift, as DeepSeek had previously relied solely on funding from its parent company,幻方量化 (Huanfang Quantitative), and had resisted external investment. The potential valuation would place DeepSeek among the top-tier AI model companies in China, comparable to competitors like MoonDark (valued at ~$18 billion) and ahead of recently listed firms like MiniMax and Zhipu. The funding—which could range from $600 million (for a 3% stake) to $2 billion (for 10%)—is seen as a move to secure resources for model development, retain talent, and support infrastructure needs, particularly as competition in inference models and AI agents intensifies. Both Alibaba and Tencent are eager to invest, not only for financial returns but also to integrate DeepSeek into their broader AI ecosystems. However, DeepSeek’s leadership is cautious about maintaining independence and may prefer financial investors over strategic ones to avoid being locked into a specific tech ecosystem. Alternative options, such as state-backed funds, offer longer-term capital and policy support but may come with slower decision-making and potential constraints on global expansion. With competing AI firms accelerating their IPO plans, DeepSeek’s window for securing optimal terms may be narrowing. The final decision will reflect a trade-off between capital, resources, and strategic independence.

marsbit23m ago

20 Billion Valuation, Alibaba and Tencent Competing to Invest, Whose Money Will Liang Wenfeng Take?

marsbit23m ago

After Losing 97% of Its Market Value, iQiyi Attempts to Use AI to Forcefully Extend Its Lifespan

After losing 97% of its market value since its 2018 peak, iQiyi is aggressively pivoting to AI in a desperate attempt to survive. At its 2026 World Conference, CEO Gong Yu announced an "AI Artist Library" with over 100 virtual performers and a new AIGC platform, "NaDou Pro," promising faster production and lower costs. This shift comes as the company faces severe financial distress: its market cap sits near delisting thresholds at $1.36 billion, with significant losses, declining membership revenue, and depleted cash flow. The AI strategy has sparked controversy. Top actors have issued legal threats against unauthorized digital replicas, while in Hengdian, over 134,000 background actors are seeing their already scarce job opportunities vanish as AI replaces them for background roles. iQiyi's move represents a fundamental shift from being a high-cost content buyer to a landlord" to becoming a "platform capitalist" that transfers production risk to creators. This contrasts with competitors like Douyin (TikTok's Chinese counterpart), which is investing heavily in *real* actor-led short dramas, betting that authentic human connection retains users better than AI-generated content. The article draws a parallel to the 1920s transition to "talkies," which made cinema musicians obsolete but ultimately enriched the art form. In contrast, iQiyi's AI drive is framed not as an artistic evolution but as a cost-cutting measure that could degrade storytelling, replacing genuine human emotion with algorithmically calculated stimulation and potentially numbing audiences' capacity for empathy. The core question remains: can a company focused solely on financial survival preserve the art of storytelling?

marsbit26m ago

After Losing 97% of Its Market Value, iQiyi Attempts to Use AI to Forcefully Extend Its Lifespan

marsbit26m ago

Only a 50% Chance of Passing This Year, Can the CLARITY Bill Succeed Before the Midterm Elections?

The CLARITY Act, which passed the House in July 2025 with strong bipartisan support (294-134), faces a critical juncture in the Senate. The Senate Banking Committee is expected to hold a markup soon, but key issues remain unresolved, including stablecoin yield provisions, DeFi regulations, and securing full Republican committee support. Other contentious points involve the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA), ethics amendments for government officials, and SEC-related matters. The legislative calendar is tight, with limited time before the midterm elections. If the committee markup is delayed beyond mid-May, the chances of passage in 2026 drop significantly. Senator Cynthia Lummis has warned that failure this year could delay comprehensive crypto market structure legislation until 2030 or later. Galaxy estimates the probability of the CLARITY Act becoming law in 2026 is only about 50%. The bill provides crucial regulatory clarity by defining jurisdictional boundaries between the SEC and CFTC, establishing a path for decentralization, and bringing digital commodity intermediaries under federal regulation. Its passage is seen as vital before potential power shifts in the next Congress, which could bring less favorable leadership to key committees. The timeline is compressed, and the bill must compete for floor time with other priorities like Iran authorization and DHS appropriations. Key hurdles include finalizing the stablecoin yield compromise text, addressing law enforcement concerns about BRCA, and navigating political dynamics around SEC nominations. The outcome of the Banking Committee markup and the level of bipartisan support will be critical indicators of its future success.

marsbit1h ago

Only a 50% Chance of Passing This Year, Can the CLARITY Bill Succeed Before the Midterm Elections?

marsbit1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures
活动图片