Crypto Sell-Off: Prolonged Winter or Temporary Chill?

Cryptocurrency markets have plummeted since reaching their highs in late 2025. Sentiments are weak and there are questions about whether this is a long-term structural downturn or a temporary pause.

After reaching its all-time high of around $126,000 in October 2025, Bitcoin has plunged below $70,000 with an especially sharp drop since late January 2026 with the broader crypto market experiencing a similar trend.

Its ambition of achieving the status of «digital gold» is once again being questioned, particularly as the actual yellow metal has sustained its price level at around $5,000 per ounce after bouncing back from a brief dip also in January.

Could the markets be entering a…