Bitcoin Is Down 42% and Losing Steam. Here's What the Next 2 Years Could Realistically Look Like.

By Neil Patel – Apr 12, 2026 at 9:15AM ESTKey PointsBitcoin's halving events, which occur roughly every four years, provide investors with a guide of what could happen next. Based on historical trends, Bitcoin’s price should be much higher by spring of 2028, although the gain likely won’t be as large as previous cycles.Since hitting an all-time record price of around $126,000 in October last year, it has been a disappointing run for Bitcoin (BTC 2.67%). The world's most valuable cryptocurrency currently trades 42% below that peak (as of April 8), as it keeps losing steam. Here's what the next two years could realistically look like. Image source: Getty Images. Bitcoin undergoes what's called a halving roughly every four years, a critical event that cuts new supply creation in half. It's precisely what enforces Bitcoin's hard cap of 21 million units. And it supports the cryptocurrency's four-year price cycles. The next halving is set to occur in March 2028. The last one happened in April 2024. This puts us almost exactly in the middle of the two right now. ExpandCRYPTO: BTCBitcoinToday's Change(-2.67%) $-1942.04Current Price$70848.00Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.4TDay's Range$70767.00 - $73721.0052wk Range$60255.56 - $126079.89Volume31B Based on past trends, the digital asset's price at a halving has always been higher than where it traded at the previous halving. But the gains have decreased as Bitcoin has become more valuable over time. From July 2016 to May 2020, the price was up 1,290%. Then from May 2020 to April 2024, it climbed 661%. It's impossible to predict what Bitcoin's price will be two years from now. However, I believe there's a high probability that investors who buy the cryptocurrency today will register a positive gain between now and the spring of 2028. As shown, history provides a clear outline for what could happen. As always, know your own risk tolerance when considering investing in crypto.Read NextApr 12, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiHow Much of Your Portfolio Should Be in Cryptocurrency?Apr 11, 2026 •By Emma Newbery3 Cryptocurrencies That AI Assistants Keep RecommendingApr 11, 2026 •By Dominic BasultoShould You Be Investing in Bitcoin... or a Basket of Diversified Cryptocurrencies?Apr 11, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiIs This 1 Existential Risk to Bitcoin a Reason to Buy Zcash Right Now?Apr 11, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiIs Cryptocurrency a Legitimate Part of a Long-Term Investment Portfolio?Apr 10, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiThinking About Selling Your Bitcoin? Nearly 50% of Holders Might Be Too.About the AuthorNeil Patel is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering consumer staples, consumer discretionary, financials, information technology, and communication services. Prior to The Motley Fool, Neil worked in corporate finance roles at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One. He also has experience working on a start-up in the cryptocurrency space. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Ohio State University.TMFNeilPatelStocks MentionedBitcoinCRYPTO: BTC$70,848.00(-2.67%)-$1,942.04*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.