CryptoQuant: the first quarter of 2026 will be unprofitable for bitcoin

In the first quarter of 2026, bitcoin BTC $89,490.37 Mezo Wrapped BTC -2.04% Market capitalization $50.88 million VOL. 24 hours $1.44 billion is likely to remain in a sideways phase, predicts Ki Yong Ju, CEO of analytical company CryptoQuant. According to him, the flow of capital into cryptocurrencies has slowed down as investors switch to stocks and precious metals, which are showing growth.

At the time of publication, bitcoin was trading at around $ 90,900, down more than 2% from its weekly high of $ 94,400. Joo emphasizes that a sharp drop is not expected, but the market will be characterized by «boring stability» without significant fluctuations in the coming months.

Historically, January has brought modest gains to cryptocurrencies, averaging 3.8% since 2013. February and March have traditionally been stronger, with an average of 13.1% and 12.2%, respectively. At the same time, the current dynamics and low interest of retail traders do not give reason to expect any sharp jumps. The Fear and Greed Index is at 28 points, indicating that pessimism prevails.

Nevertheless, institutional interest remains stable: spot bitcoin ETFs raised $ 925.3 million in the first three trading days of 2026. This confirms that large investors continue to view cryptocurrency as a strategic asset.

Long-term forecasts remain optimistic. Venture capitalist Tim Draper reiterated his expectation that the price will reach $ 250,000 in 2026. Bitwise analyst Ryan Rasmussen believes that bitcoin can break the traditional four-year cycle and set new records. Abra CEO Bill Bargdt added that the expected easing of the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy could stimulate demand for risky assets, including bitcoin.