1 Sign Bitcoin Could Be Poised for a Comeback in 2026

By Lyle Daly – Mar 30, 2026 at 7:00AM ESTKey PointsBitcoin hasn't had consecutive losing years yet.It lost value in 2025, so if it continues its usual pattern, it will deliver positive returns this year.Bitcoin ETF inflows have picked up in March, potentially indicating the start of a recovery.The crypto market is the definition of boom or bust. Last year, market leader Bitcoin (BTC +1.64%) started out strong, eventually setting a new high of $126,198 in October. But it's down about 45% since then and 19% year to date, as of March 26. While these downturns have lasted for years before, one pattern suggests Bitcoin will bounce back over the rest of the year. Image source: Getty Images. Bitcoin price data is available back to 2010. Since that time, Bitcoin has never had two consecutive losing years, even during extended bear markets. The leading cryptocurrency has had four years so far during which its price declined: 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2025. If the pattern holds, Bitcoin will follow up its losses in 2025 with a positive return in 2026. Also worth noting is that when Bitcoin wins, it tends to win big. Its lowest positive return in a calendar year was 34% in 2015, and it more than doubled in 2023 and 2024. There's no guarantee that Bitcoin will continue to avoid consecutive yearly losses, but there's a sign it's starting to recover. After four months of net outflows for Bitcoin ETFs, meaning more money went out than came in, March has reversed that trend so far. There have been about $1.3 billion in net Bitcoin ETF inflows, according to data from BiTBO. ExpandCRYPTO: BTCBitcoinToday's Change(1.64%) $1094.26Current Price$67840.00Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.4TDay's Range$65112.00 - $67890.0052wk Range$60255.56 - $126079.89Volume33B Bitcoin is highly volatile, and I wouldn't recommend buying too much in hopes of a comeback. But based on previous trends and Bitcoin ETF inflows, this could be an opportunity to buy the dip.Read NextMar 30, 2026 •By Bram Berkowitz1 Cryptocurrency to Buy That Has Bottomed and Can More Than Double by Year-End, According to Wall Street Analyst Gautam ChhuganiMar 29, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiIs Bitcoin a Good Investment for Building Wealth?Mar 28, 2026 •By Neil PatelThis Glorious Cryptocurrency Is Up Almost 17,000% in 10 Years: Here Are the 5 Biggest Risks You Need to Know.Mar 28, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiWhat's the Better Buy to Save for Retirement: Bitcoin vs. GoldMar 27, 2026 •By Leo SunForget Bitcoin: This Crypto Is the Smarter Buy Right NowMar 27, 2026 •By Leo SunPrediction: Ethereum Will Outperform Bitcoin Over the Next 3 YearsAbout the AuthorLyle Daly is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering information technology and cryptocurrency. Lyle has been a contributor at the financial services company since 2018. His work has been featured on USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, Fox Business, and Nasdaq. Before joining The Motley Fool, he wrote for financial brands including Intuit.TMFLyleDalyX@LyleDalyStocks MentionedBitcoinCRYPTO: BTC$67,840.00(+1.64%)+$1,094.26*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.