Current Market Scenario
BTC is currently trading at $91000 during writing of this article. As it got rejected from $94K recently. Bears are clearly winning at this moment. Sentiment is still bullish and we are in a disbelief phase, we will cover it later on about what a disbelief phase is. Now let’s discuss about the price of Bitcoin heading into 2026. We are presenting the most realistic bear case along with the sideways as well as bullish case.
Leaving behind the noise and other deviations, we jump into the real deal straight away.
1. Bearish Scenario โ Our Analystsโ Pick
This is the scenario that aligns most closely with what the data and market psychology indicate right now.
After Bitcoinโs rejection from $94K, the market slipped deeper into what many call the โdisbelief phase.โ
This phase typically comes after a complacency rally, where investors say things like:
โThis is just a dip before we go higher.โ
But in reality, price begins its slow descent into a new macro downtrend.
Weโve talked about this in multiple earlier prediction articles โ Bitcoin can potentially fall as low as $35,000 in a full bear cycle retracement. That level aligns with:
- The 0.786 Fibonacci retracement zone
- Previous multi-year support
- A region where long-term investors historically re-accumulated

In this bearish path:
- Bitcoin fails to reclaim $100K
- Liquidity remains thin
- Macro stays uncertain
- ETF inflows slow down
- Miners begin heavy capitulation ahead of the 2028 halving
Projected Bearish Targets for 2026:
- High: $70K
- Mid: $48K
- Low: $35K (extreme capitulation zone)
This case is currently our analystsโ primary expectation.

Also you can read about the BTC ETF article why the institutions are exiting here.
2. Sideways Scenario โ The โSlow Grindโ Market
The sideways scenario assumes the market does not fully break down, but also fails to break into new bull territory.
In this scenario:
- Bitcoin oscillates between $70Kโ$100K
- Volatility compresses
- Volume stays low
- Retail interest drops
- Market structure becomes choppy and directionless
This type of environment often appears 2โ3 years before halving events, when the market is waiting for a fresh narrative or catalyst.
Projected Sideways Range for 2026:
- Lower Band: $70K
- Upper Band: $100K
- Fair Value Zone: $82Kโ$88K
This would give traders opportunities but frustrate long-term holders.
3. Bullish Scenario โ New Highs Before the 2028 Halving
The bullish scenario assumes BTC absorbs the recent rejection, builds a new base, and forms a breakout structure heading into 2027.
For this to happen, we need:
- Strong ETF inflows
- Reduced selling from miners and early holders
- Improvement in global liquidity
- Renewed retail participation
- Clear regulatory frameworks
If these align, Bitcoin could attempt to push into a new price discovery phase.
Projected Bullish Targets for 2026:
- Conservative: $110K
- Moderate: $135K
- Extreme: $160K
While possible, this scenario is less supported by current sentiment and structure.
Understanding the Disbelief Phase (Important for 2026)
The disbelief phase is the psychological moment when the market transitions from optimism to denial.
It comes after complacency, where investors believe:
โThe dip is temporary. Weโre still in a bull market.โ
But price slowly weakens, liquidity dries up, and conviction fades. Most participants refuse to accept the trend change, which leads to sharp selloffs similar to what weโre observing now.
BTCโs recent rejection and weakening momentum strongly resemble this phase.
If history repeats, the market could be preparing for:
- A deeper correction
- A multi-month sideways drift
- A long accumulation cycle before the 2028 halving
Halving 2028 Impact (Why It Still Matters Today)
Even if 2026 becomes bearish, the 2028 halving remains a major bullish catalyst.
Historically:
- Bitcoin bottoms 18โ24 months before halving
- Strong rallies follow after supply reduction
- New ATHs occur 12โ18 months post-halving
So a deep pullback toward $35Kโ$50K could create the strongest accumulation opportunity before the 2028 cycle begins.
The halving will:
- Reduce miner supply
- Increase scarcity
- Strengthen long-term price floor
- Draw institutional attention again
This is why long-term investors are quietly accumulating even during downtrends.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only. Cryptocurrency investing and trading carries significant risk; consult a financial advisor before making decisions.
Read about our Bitcoin Death Cross blog here.
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