Bitcoin hit a new all time high of $126,000 on October 7, 2025, only to fall sharply a month later. Bitcoin prices now sit in the $90,000 to $93,000 range, pulling the market into the red and reviving a familiar question: is this the right moment to buy the dip?
There is a common saying in the crypto community: good buy Bitcoin or goodbye Bitcoin. In moments like this, that sentiment often turns into a reminder of the long term trust many investors place in Bitcoin. With analysts debating Bitcoin’s position in a potential fourth cycle, this correction has become one of the most closely watched phases of the year.
Bitcoin Fourth Cycle: Is the Classic BTC Cycle Breaking?
For more than a decade, Bitcoin’s four year halving cycle shaped market expectations. Peaks, corrections, consolidations, and new highs often followed a rhythm that traders relied on.
But Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley argues the old cycle may be fading. He believes Bitcoin could enter a more open and unpredictable structure by 2026, driven by ETF demand, institutional capital, and shifting macroeconomic conditions. Under this view, Bitcoin’s traditional cycle may no longer guide price behaviour the way it once did.
This also raises an interesting point: if enough people believe the cycle is breaking, does the market reshape itself?
Bitcoin Correction Under 100K: What Analysts Are Saying
The drop into the low $90,000 range has split analysts.
Bernstein analysts say this is simply a correction, not a cycle top. After a strong surge to $126,000, they view the pullback as a natural cool-down, suggesting Bitcoin still has room for long term growth.
Another group points toward a self-reinforcing pattern: traders expect a mid cycle correction, so they sell, and that selling pressure creates the correction itself. Bitcoin starts responding not only to macro factors, but to the story traders tell each other.
Bitcoin Price Models: Are the Old BTC Cycle Models Obsolete?
Some experts believe cycle-based models were built for a different Bitcoin era. Earlier cycles were dominated by retail traders and miners. Today, the market is shaped by institutional buyers, global asset managers, sovereign capital, and ETF flows.
With deeper liquidity and stronger integration into traditional finance, Bitcoin may no longer behave like a retail-led asset. If this continues, historical cycles become less reliable indicators of future performance.
Bitcoin Macro Factors: What Could Drive BTC in 2025 and 2026?
Global macro conditions remain a key influence. Inflation stays elevated across major economies, and uncertainties around interest rate cuts continue. Bitcoin typically benefits when liquidity returns to global markets, something many analysts expect to see more clearly in 2026.
Meanwhile, ETF inflows continue even during price dips. Large-scale institutional accumulation helps stabilize Bitcoin’s price and absorb selling pressure, something earlier cycles did not have.
Bitcoin Under 100K Psychology: How Investors React to BTC Dip Levels
Falling below $100,000 carries emotional weight. Round numbers often trigger fear for short term traders, but long term buyers see discounts.
Institutions tend to accumulate during dips, not during peaks. So when Bitcoin moves into the $90,000 range, strategic buying often increases, signalling confidence even when retail sentiment turns cautious.
Bitcoin Price Outlook 2025–2026: Possible Scenarios
Based on current conditions, several outcomes are realistic:
Bullish continuation
If this is a standard mid cycle correction, Bitcoin could retest previous highs when macro conditions stabilize.
Sideways range
If the cycle influence weakens further, Bitcoin may trade between $85,000 and $120,000 for longer while the market adjusts.
Post cycle era
If Bitcoin breaks from the classic halving pattern entirely, price discovery could become more volatile, offering long term opportunities during pullbacks.
Conclusion
Bitcoin under $100,000 creates both anxiety and opportunity. While the traditional cycle model is being questioned, long term fundamentals remain strong. Institutional demand, ETF activity, and global adoption continue to support Bitcoin’s overall trajectory. Buying the dip always carries risk, but moments like these often become defining parts of Bitcoin’s long term story. With the market shifting between old patterns and new structures, conviction and strategy matter more than ever.
Disclaimer: This content does not constitute investment, tax, legal, financial, or accounting advice. MEXC provides this information for educational purposes only. Always do your own research, understand the risks, and invest responsibly.
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