If you look closely at the chart below, one thing becomes very clear: Bitcoin doesn’t move randomly. It moves in cycles. Roughly every four years, we see the same pattern — a massive bull run to new all-time highs, followed by a brutal correction that wipes out 70% to 85% of price.

In 2017 Bitcoin topped near $21,000 before crashing over 80%. In 2021 it peaked around $69,000 and dumped almost 79%. Now in 2026, after hitting a new ATH around $126,000, Bitcoin has already fallen close to 50%. History shows that the pain usually isn’t over halfway down. If the cycle repeats like before, a 70%–75% drawdown would place Bitcoin somewhere around the $35,000 zone.

This is uncomfortable to hear, but smart traders don’t survive crypto by ignoring history.

Why This Dump Doesn’t Mean Bitcoin Is Dead

Every cycle feels like “this time is different.” And every cycle ends the same way — fear, panic selling, and people calling the end of crypto.

Yet after every crash, Bitcoin eventually comes back stronger.

The purpose of these downturns is simple:

They shake out weak hands, reset overvalued markets, and create opportunities for the next big move.

What destroys traders isn’t the crash itself.

It’s being over-exposed, emotional, and unprepared.

Capital Protection Comes First in a Bear Market

When markets are bleeding, your main goal is not to get rich fast.

Your goal is to stay alive financially.

Here are some smart ways traders protect capital during downturns:

• Reduce position sizes

• Avoid heavy leverage

• Hold more stablecoins when trends are clearly bearish

• Trade short-term setups instead of long-term hope

• Always use stop losses

In a bear market, cash is a position. Preserving money now gives you massive power when prices finally bottom.

How Traders Can Still Be Profitable in Difficult Times

Bear markets don’t kill profits — bad discipline does.

Many professional traders actually make the most money during crashes by:

• Shorting strong breakdowns

• Trading volatility

• Scalping small moves consistently

• Waiting for dead-cat bounces

• Buying only near strong support zones

The key is patience and risk control. You don’t need big wins. Small consistent profits add up fast in volatile markets.

Surviving the Altcoin Bloodbath

Let’s be honest — altcoins get absolutely destroyed in downturns.

Many are already down 70% to 90%, and history shows most never recover to old highs.

To survive this phase:

• Stop marrying your bags

• Cut weak projects early

• Hold only strong utility coins if you must hold

• Avoid chasing pumps

• Focus on liquidity and safety

Bear markets expose which projects were hype and which actually matter.

The Opportunity Hidden Inside the Pain

If Bitcoin really moves toward $35,000 this year, it will feel scary — but it may be one of the best accumulation zones of the next cycle.

Every millionaire made in crypto bought when fear was extreme.

Not when headlines were bullish.

Not when price was flying.

But when everyone was giving up.

Final Tips

The chart above isn’t a prediction — it’s a reminder of how Bitcoin has behaved through every major cycle.

We’ve seen 80% crashes before.

We’re likely seeing another one now.

That doesn’t mean crypto is over.

It means the market is resetting.

Protect your capital. Trade smart. Stay patient.

The ones who survive bear markets are the ones who win the next bull run.

If history repeats — and it usually does — those prepared today will be thanking themselves tomorrow.

Stay safe. Stay disciplined. And don’t let emotions trade your money.