Crypto Potato
January 4, 2026 7:53 AM UTC

Bitcoin Barely Avoids Equaling Worst Red Monthly Streak: What’s Next for April?

After another volatile month fueled by the war moves in the Middle East, bitcoin managed to scrape above the surface at the end and finished with a minor increase. The focus has now turned to April and Q2, and CryptoPotato turned to a leading expert about their take on the matter and what investors might expect. March Was Green(ish) Although it tapped a new all-time high in early October, that month actually ended slightly in the red and began a violent streak. Data from CoinGlass shows that after that 3.7% drop in October, the primary cryptocurrency dumped by over 17.5% in November, 3% in December, and posted two more double-digit declines in January and February, 2026. This meant it ended five consecutive months below its starting point, which puts it straight in bear market territory. March was on the line, as a red closure would equal the worst such negative streak marked between August 2018 and January 2019. And, the month saw a few dips to below those levels, but the late March 31 jump to $68,000 prevented this possibility, and it ended with a minor 1.8% increase. Bitcoin Monthly Returns. Source: CoinGlass Nevertheless, the quarterly results were quite painful once again. After the 23.07% decline posted in Q4 2025, the cryptocurrency saw another 22.2% drop in Q1 2026. This became its worst-performing Q1 since the 2018 bear market when it plunged by 50% in the first three months of the year. What’s Next? History shows that bitcoin has had some success in April, especially in the distant 2013 (50% surge), and between 2016 and 2020, when it posted numerous double-digit gains. Speaking on what the future might hold for BTC in April 2026 with CryptoPotato was Lacie Zhang, a research analyst at Bitget Wallet, who said: “The April outlook for crypto remains cautiously optimistic, even as markets navigate a complex mix of geopolitical uncertainty, including ongoing ceasefire discussions in the Middle East alongside the risk of further escalation. Bitcoin and stablecoins are continuing to function as key channels for capital movement out of the region, with relatively low correlation to traditional assets and increasing room for institutional accumulation. This dynamic suggests that, despite headline-driven volatility, underlying demand remains intact and structurally supportive.” Zhang laid out some targets for BTC and ETH for Q2. If the war in Iran continues and oil prices rocket past $120, BTC might test $55,000 while ETH could drop to yearly lows of $1,500. However, a substantial de-escalation could send the assets above $90,000 and $2,700, respectively. Another important catalyst for price moves is expected to be the CLARITY Act, but the analyst believes there’s only a “40%-60% chance it would pass this year.” The post Bitcoin Barely Avoids Equaling Worst Red Monthly Streak: What’s Next for April? appeared first on CryptoPotato .