It’s been half a year already, and the market still won’t let anyone sleep peacefully. I remember that back in October last year, Bitcoin was trading around the 126 thousand level, but now we’re at 76 thousand. This isn’t just a correction—it’s a full-fledged bear market, and we’re already in it. And the main question that’s on everyone’s mind is: when will the cryptocurrency bear market end?

Let’s look at history. In 2021-2022, the bear market lasted exactly one year—from November 21 to November 22. The price fell from 69 thousand to 15.5 thousand, a drawdown of 77 percent. Earlier, in 2017-2018, it looked similar—12 months down, minus 84 percent. Even earlier, in 2014-2015, there were as many as 14 months of decline. It turns out that historically, crypto bears hold power for 9 to 18 months, averaging about a year.

The current situation looks like this: we’ve already been in this cycle for six months. From the October peak of 126 thousand, Bitcoin is down by about 40 percent—and some days it even dipped below the 64 thousand mark. All on-chain indicators are screaming about capitulation. CryptoQuant’s bullish rating index fell from 80 to zero. Institutional flows through ETFs have reversed direction—net selling instead of buying. This isn’t a correction; it’s a real bear market.

CryptoQuant analysts say that the first serious bottom window could open around the third quarter of this year. They see a possible range from 56 to 70 thousand. Compass Point is a bit more optimistic—they assume a bottom at 60-68 thousand in the so-called final inning. Some experts believe that, due to institutional participation and ETF infrastructure, this bear market could end faster than the previous ones—within 3-6 months instead of the traditional 12.

If you go by most serious voices in the market, the cryptocurrency bear market will end somewhere in the second half of 2026 or at the beginning of 2027. Of course, it all depends on macro conditions. If some kind of global crisis starts, the drop could be deeper and last longer.

What should you do in times like these? The main thing is not to panic. It’s precisely on the wave of fear that bottoms are formed. If you have the ability, accumulate Bitcoin and Ether at discounts—use dollar-cost averaging. Keep a portion of your portfolio in stablecoins—this is dry powder for the final bottom. You can earn income through staking or simply hold stablecoins. And remember: bear markets are just a natural part of the cycle. Those who wait out the storm with a cool head often end up with the biggest profits.

So when will the cryptocurrency bear market end? Most likely, we’ll see the bottom somewhere in the third quarter, and the recovery will begin later this year. But this is not financial advice—it’s simply observing the market. Crypto is volatile, and you should always do your own analysis.