Why does Peter Brandt think Bitcoin won’t hit new highs in 2026?

Peter Brandt believes Bitcoin is still in a bear phase of its market cycle, making new highs unlikely this year. He expects the next peak could come around Q2 2027, though he noted this outlook is uncertain.

What are Polymarket traders predicting for Bitcoin in 2026?

Polymarket traders are pricing in just a 15% chance that Bitcoin reaches $120,000 in 2026. This reflects broadly cautious sentiment among market participants.

How far is Bitcoin from its all-time high right now?

Bitcoin is trading around $66,329, which is about 47% below its all-time high of $126,100. This gap highlights the extent of the current drawdown.

Is Bitcoin still in a bear market cycle?

Several analysts, including Willy Woo and Anthony Scaramucci, say Bitcoin is still in the bear phase of its four-year cycle. This suggests further consolidation or downside could occur before a new bull run.

Could Bitcoin fall further before recovering?

Yes, Brandt warned Bitcoin could retest or dip slightly below recent lows later this year. He views this potential move as part of forming a final bear market bottom.

What does the four-year cycle mean for Bitcoin investors?

The four-year cycle refers to Bitcoin’s historical pattern of boom and bust phases tied to halving events. If the pattern holds, weaker price action in 2026 could be followed by a stronger bull phase later.

Is there any bullish outlook for Bitcoin despite the bearish views?

Yes, some analysts argue that growing institutional demand could break the traditional cycle. This is a potential upside scenario, but not guaranteed.

What does the Crypto Fear and Greed Index signal right now?

The index is in “extreme fear,” indicating investors are highly cautious and risk-averse. Historically, this can signal either continued weakness or potential buying opportunities.

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Bitcoin seen missing highs until 2027 says Brandt

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished Mar 31, 2026, 12:00 AM

Veteran trader Peter Brandt said Bitcoin is unlikely to reach a new all-time high in 2026, suggesting the next peak may not arrive until the second quarter of 2027.

Prediction market participants on Polymarket share that cautious outlook, assigning only a 15% probability that Bitcoin will reclaim $120,000 this year.

“I do not see a new price high in 2026,”

Brandt said, adding that a new peak may come “not until maybe the second quarter of 2027,” while noting that such forecasts remain uncertain.

Bitcoin is currently trading near $66,329, down roughly 47% from its $126,100 all-time high, with recent price action reflecting broader weakness and risk-off sentiment.

Brandt also warned that Bitcoin could revisit or fall slightly below recent lows later this year, which he believes could mark the end of the current bear cycle before a new uptrend begins.

Other market participants, including Willy Woo and Anthony Scaramucci, suggest Bitcoin remains in the bear phase of its four-year cycle, reinforcing the cautious outlook.

Despite near-term weakness, Brandt maintained that Bitcoin’s long-term narrative as a store of value remains intact, while sentiment indicators such as the Crypto Fear and Greed Index continue to signal extreme fear across the market.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $66,553.36.