Bitcoin’s market cap has fallen to around $1.46 trillion, dropping it below many major tech companies and commodities in global asset rankings.
Gold remains the world’s most valuable asset at nearly $31 trillion. Companies like Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, TSMC, Broadcom, Saudi Aramco, Tesla, and Meta Platforms are all ranked above Bitcoin.
This decline reflects growing pressure on the cryptocurrency from several directions — including rising inflation, geopolitical tensions, and weaker investor confidence.
Ki Young Ju, CEO of crypto analytics firm CryptoQuant, now says the bear market could last until early 2027. His view is based on a model that tracks on-chain profitability, which looks at how long investor losses typically continue once profit-taking starts to fade.
Once profit-taking begins to unwind, Bitcoin investors’ profits and losses usually decline for about 18 months. Since this trend started in October 2025, the bear market could last until early 2027. The trend only changes when unrealized profits go up and realized profits go down. We’re not there yet.
According to Ju, the drop in investor profits began in October 2025. He says this follows a pattern seen in previous downturns, like those in 2014, 2018, and 2022, which also lasted about 18 months.
The CryptoQuant PnL Index Signal — a chart that tracks investor profitability using 365-day moving averages — shows the indicator has turned down after peaking last year. Ju shared the chart on X, noting that a recovery will only be confirmed when unrealized profits rise while realized profits fall. That hasn’t happened yet, he said.
At the time of the report, Bitcoin was trading near $73,289, down slightly over the past 24 hours. Data from CoinGlass shows total open interest in the derivatives market fell to around $55 billion, while liquidations over the same period reached nearly $224 million.
Long traders took the biggest hit. Over $30 million in bullish bets were wiped out in 24 hours, compared to about $17 million in short liquidations. Despite this, the long-short ratio on major exchanges like Binance and OKX still leans bullish.
Broader economic conditions are adding to the pressure. US PCE inflation rose to 3.8% year-over-year in April, and the odds of a Fed rate hike have increased sharply. Reports also indicate that tensions between the US and Iran have shaken global markets, and risk sentiment in crypto continues to weaken.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the warning that Bitcoin could face a long downtrend until 2027
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q1 What does it mean that Bitcoin could be in a downtrend until 2027
A It means the price of Bitcoin could keep falling or stay very low for the next few years instead of going up Think of it like a long slow bear market
Q2 Is this prediction guaranteed to happen
A No This is just one analysts opinion No one can predict the future of Bitcoin with 100 certainty The market could go up down or sideways
Q3 Should I sell all my Bitcoin if I hear this warning
A Not necessarily Panic selling is usually a bad idea This is a warning not a fact Its a good reason to review your own risk tolerance and investment plan but dont make a decision based on a single prediction
Q4 Why would a downtrend last until 2027
A The analyst likely believes its part of a regular fouryear halving cycle Historically after a big price peak Bitcoin often enters a multiyear slump before the next big jump
Q5 Is Bitcoin a bad investment if it might crash for years
A It depends on your goals If you need the money soon its risky If you have a longterm view a long downtrend might be a buying opportunity for some
AdvancedLevel Questions
Q6 What specific data or pattern is the analyst using to make this prediction
A The analyst is likely using historical market cycles tied to Bitcoins halving events They compare current price action and onchain metrics to the 20142015 and 20182019 bear markets which lasted about 34 years after a peak
Q7 Could a long downtrend until 2027 be broken by a major event