Bitcoin is facing its worst start to a financial year on record, with a 23% decline logged within the first 50 days of 2026. Data from Checkonchain indicates that the cryptocurrency has fallen 10% in January and an additional 15% in February.
This marks a notable shift, as Bitcoin has never before experienced consecutive declines in both January and February. Historical data from Coinglass shows that while there have been significant drops in January during previous years—such as 2015, 2016, and 2018—each of those months was followed by a recovery in February.
If current trends continue, Bitcoin is poised for its weakest monthly performance since 2022. Checkonchain’s data reveals that the average index reading for down years is typically around 0.84 after 50 days; however, Bitcoin’s current reading stands at 0.77, indicating a pronounced drawdown.
The recent downturn follows a 17% decline in 2025, a year that traditionally sees stronger performance following elections. Historically, post-election years have outperformed election years and have generally yielded better results over time, making the current underperformance particularly noteworthy.
In related news, Simon Gerovich, CEO of Metaplanet, has addressed criticisms regarding the company’s Bitcoin strategy and transparency. He emphasized that all Bitcoin purchases were disclosed promptly and argued that criticisms based on unrealized losses or market timing misunderstand the company’s long-term strategy.
- Gerovich defended Metaplanet’s transparency and options-based Bitcoin strategy.
- He reiterated that the company’s accounting practices are sound and in line with industry standards.
Bitcoin has recorded its worst start to a financial year, with significant declines in both January and February. This trend follows a notable downturn in 2025 and raises questions about the cryptocurrency's performance in historically strong post-election years.