Bitcoin Experiences Harshest Q1 Since 2018 With 22% Loss

• Bitcoin has seen a net 21.62% pullback so far this year.
• BTC started the year strongly by gaining 12.38% in the first two weeks.
• Institutional investors’ return could boost Bitcoin’s resurgence in Q1 2026.

Bitcoin has experienced significant volatility since the beginning of 2026, despite being only about six weeks into the new year. Data from Coinglass shows that the last time Bitcoin experienced a more significant pullback than the current magnitude at the beginning of the year was in 2018, when the cryptocurrency declined 49.7% in the first quarter.

40% Swing of Bitcoin

As of the time of writing, Bitcoin’s price has fallen by 21.62% net, despite having an overall swing of nearly 40%. The cryptocurrency has experienced significant bearish pressure, extinguishing the initial hopes of many traders who expected a more bullish outlook, considering its performance in the first week of 2026.

It is worth highlighting that Bitcoin started the year strongly, gaining 12.38% within the first two weeks. That move triggered bullish sentiment among the cryptocurrency’s users, most of whom expected more, especially following the price drop below the $100,000 milestone in the final quarter of 2025.

In a move that took many people by surprise and was fueled by external macroeconomic factors, Bitcoin’s price nosedived over a short period. The cryptocurrency lost nearly 40% of its value over the past month and fell below $60,000 for the first time since October 2024. Notably, the pullback was not restricted to Bitcoin. Other digital assets, alongside mainstream stocks, experienced similar pullbacks, leaving the broader investor ecosystem cautious about the short-term market future.

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Bitcoin’s Q1 Performance

In the meantime, BTC has established support around the $60,000 price region. Bitcoin bulls intercepted the price drop at $59,930, leading to a notable bounce that saw BTC gain approximately 20% in a single day on February 6.

The latest resurgence has reduced the cryptocurrency’s quarterly drawdown to 21.62%, according to Coinglass’ data. A continued upsurge can further reduce Bitcoin’s price deficit and potentially erase the negative return. However, the influx of institutional investment into the cryptocurrency ecosystem remains a critical factor. 

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