Why Bitcoin's 4-Year Cycle No Longer Works
Why Bitcoin's 4-Year Cycle No Longer Works
276 days agoβ€’VirtualBaconβ€’@VirtualBacon
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

The traditional 4-Year Cycle for Bitcoin is likely breaking down, so investors should avoid selling based on a fear of a year-end market top. Instead, analysis suggests an extended bull market driven by Global Liquidity that could last into 2025 or 2026. Consider holding your Bitcoin position unless it experiences a rapid price surge to the $170,000 - $200,000 range. A broad altcoin season is not imminent and requires a sustained increase in Global Liquidity, so patience is advised before rotating capital. This market structure favors a long-term holding strategy over attempts to time a volatile peak.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • The host argues that the traditional 4-Year Cycle theory, which is based on a strict timeline around the Bitcoin halving, is likely no longer the primary driver of Bitcoin's price.
  • Many investors are reportedly fearful of a market top by the end of the year, based on the cycle's historical timeline (around 600 days post-halving). The host believes this is a flawed perspective.
  • The analysis points out that the 4-Year Cycle theory has two components: time and price. While the time component suggests a top is near, the price component does not.
  • Historically, cycle tops have been "blow-off tops" where Bitcoin's price reaches the upper bands of logarithmic regression models (often called "rainbow charts"), indicating a state of euphoria.
  • Currently, Bitcoin's price is nowhere near these upper bands. It has been moving up slowly with periods of consolidation, which is unlike previous cycles.

Takeaways

  • Two Bullish Scenarios: The host presents two potential paths forward, both of which are bullish in the medium to long term.
    • Scenario 1 (4-Year Cycle is Correct): For the cycle to play out as it has historically, Bitcoin would need a massive and rapid price increase to reach the upper regression bands by the end of the year. This implies a potential price target of $180,000 - $200,000 within the next 4-5 months. This is seen as unlikely but would be extremely bullish if it occurred.
    • Scenario 2 (Host's Belief - Extended Cycle): The 4-Year Cycle is breaking down, and the market is moving into a longer, slower, and more extended cycle. This cycle is driven less by the halving and more by Global Liquidity and M2 Money Supply. In this case, the bull market top is not imminent and could extend into 2025 or 2026.
  • Key Indicator to Watch: Instead of a random date on a calendar, investors should watch for a break in market structure (i.e., a pattern of lower highs and lower lows) to signal a true market top.
  • Sentiment: The host's sentiment is bullish. He argues that whether the old cycle holds or a new extended cycle is forming, there is no logical reason to be bearish at current price levels. Selling now out of fear of a time-based deadline means potentially missing significant upside.
  • Personal Strategy: The host mentions he does not plan to exit his Bitcoin position by the end of the year unless there is a blow-off top to at least $170,000 - $180,000.

Altcoins

  • The host notes that a broad "altcoin season" has not yet started. Historically, altcoin seasons begin roughly one year after the Bitcoin halving, marked by a significant and sustained breakdown in Bitcoin Dominance.
  • Currently, Bitcoin Dominance remains in a macro uptrend, and we are already over 470 days past the halving, meaning the historical timing for an altcoin season has passed without a trigger.
  • The primary driver for a future altcoin season is now believed to be Global Liquidity (the subset of money supply flowing into risk-on financial assets), not the Bitcoin cycle timeline.
  • Global Liquidity has been in a downtrend for the past two years and is only just beginning to show signs of a potential reversal. A sustained altcoin season requires a sustained increase in Global Liquidity.

Takeaways

  • Two Scenarios for an Altcoin Season:
    • Scenario 1 (Bitcoin-driven): If Bitcoin experiences a rapid "blow-off top" to $200,000, the massive profits generated would likely spill over into altcoins, creating a classic, explosive altcoin season. The host views this as unlikely.
    • Scenario 2 (Liquidity-driven): The more likely scenario is a slower process where Global Liquidity gradually trends upwards. This would lead to a more measured and extended altcoin season, rather than a short, euphoric mania.
  • Key Indicators to Watch:
    • Bitcoin Dominance: A clear break below the 50-week Simple Moving Average (SMA) and the formation of a downtrend (lower highs and lower lows) would be a strong signal for the start of an altcoin season.
    • Global Liquidity Chart: A sustained uptrend in this chart is the fundamental prerequisite for a healthy altcoin market. The host stresses this is a different and more relevant indicator for altcoins than the broader M2 Money Supply, which correlates better with Bitcoin itself.
  • Patience is Key: The analysis suggests that an "easy mode" altcoin season is not imminent. Investors should monitor the key indicators rather than expecting a rally based on old cycle timelines.

Investment Thesis: The "Super Cycle" vs. Extended Cycle

  • The host clarifies the term "super cycle." He warns against interpreting it as "price only goes up."
  • Instead, he frames the current market as a potential "extended long cycle."
  • This means the bull market may last longer, but the price increases will be slower and less volatile than in previous boom-and-bust cycles.
  • An extended, less volatile cycle is more attractive to institutional investors, whose participation is necessary for Bitcoin to reach much higher valuations (e.g., $1 million) in the long term.
  • In this type of cycle, the subsequent bear market would also be much milder. For example, if Bitcoin topped at $150,000 this year, the model suggests a correction down to only $90,000, which is far less severe than the 80%+ drops of past cycles.

Takeaways

  • Shift in Strategy: The market may be shifting from a speculative, timing-based model (4-Year Cycle) to a fundamentals-driven one (Global Liquidity).
  • Long-Term View: This environment favors a long-term holding strategy over attempts to time a volatile, euphoric peak.
  • Risk Management: The host suggests using tools like grid trading bots (he mentions Pionex) to manage emotions and automatically buy dips and sell rips during choppy, sideways-to-upward price action, which may characterize an extended cycle.
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Video Description
Do the 4-year Bitcoin cycles still work? With BTC halvings coming every 4 years and the previous crypto cycles, a lot of people in Crypto think of 4-year cycles where we see a bull market, a cycle top, and then a bear market until the cycle repeats. However, with how much Crypto has changed thanks to regulation, ETFs, and institutions buying, should we still think of Crypto in 4-year cycles? This video will break down what price Bitcoin needs to hit, and when it needs to hit it for the 4-year cycle thesis to still be valid. ---------------------------------------------------- πŸ”₯ *Copy my Bull Market Portfolio* πŸ”₯ 1️⃣ Watch tutorial on Bull Market Bots: https://youtu.be/AiFEaku6-Ec 2️⃣ Sign up to Pionex: https://bacon.link/pionex 3️⃣ Claim deposit bonus: https://bacon.link/pionex-bonus 4️⃣ Join our free community _The Coiners_ : https://app.thecoiners.io 5️⃣ Copy my Bull Market Bots: Bitcoin: https://bacon.link/btc-bull-bot Ethereum: https://bacon.link/eth-bull-bot Solana: https://bacon.link/sol-bull-bot All Trading Strategies: https://bacon.link/all-bots Strategy Settings and History: https://bacon.link/portfolio-2025 ---------------------------------------------------- *All Exchanges and Links* βœ… Pionex Exchange: https://bacon.link/pionex (Best Trading Bots, KYC Friendly) βœ… Bitunix Exchange: https://bacon.link/bitunix ($5,500 Bonus, no KYC) βœ… ByBit Exchange: https://bacon.link/bybit ($30,000 Bonus, KYC Needed) βœ… NordVPN: https://bacon.link/nordVPN (Protect yourself with a Dedicated IP for Exchanges) πŸ’Ž Free Trading Community _The Coiners_ : https://app.thecoiners.io πŸ“’ Follow my X for Quick Alpha: https://twitter.com/virtualbacon0x πŸ“’ Courses, Exchange Guides, and All Links: https://virtualbacon.com/ ----------------------------------------------------- Chapters 00:00 ----------------------------------------------------- πŸ“œ Disclaimer πŸ“œ The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial, legal, or tax advice. The content of this video is solely the opinions of the speaker who is not a licensed financial advisor or registered investment advisor. Trading cryptocurrencies poses a considerable risk of loss. The speaker does not guarantee any particular outcome. #btc #eth #ethereum #solana #sol #bitcoin #crypto #altcoins #memecoins #cryptoinvesting #cryptotrading #personalfinance #money #investing #finance #cryptonews #virtualbacon #xrp
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By @VirtualBacon

I'm Dennis, a Crypto angel investor with 100+ startups in our portfolio. On this channel I share my views on market trends and ...