On-chain information and market chatter present Bitcoin could also be shifting into a unique section. Glassnode warned on Aug. 20 that latest revenue taking and better promoting strain level to a late stage within the cycle. Merchants and analysts are watching intently.
Three Cycles Not Halvings
Based on analyst James Checkmate, Bitcoin’s historical past matches into three broad cycles moderately than a rhythm set by halvings.
He calls them an adoption cycle from 2011 to 2018, an adolescence cycle from 2018 to 2022, and a maturity cycle from 2022 onward.
Checkmate argues these phases had been pushed by altering adoption patterns and market construction, not by the block reward cuts that occur each 4 years.
He even stated Bitcoin is “the one different endgame asset alongside gold,” suggesting the present section might stretch longer than many count on.
For my part, Bitcoin has skilled three cycles, and they don’t seem to be anchored across the halvings.
They’re anchored across the tendencies in adoption and market construction, with the 2017 high, and 2022 backside being the transition factors
🔴 Retail early adoption
🟠 Wild West, Growth &… pic.twitter.com/3rbUUpnwen— _Checkmate 🟠🔑⚡☢️🛢️ (@_Checkmatey_) August 26, 2025
Bitcoin Halving Sample Nonetheless In Play
Stories have disclosed that the halving idea stays fashionable as a result of markets have peaked within the yr after earlier halvings — 2013, 2017, and 2021 are sometimes pointed to as examples.
The narrative goes {that a} provide shock from diminished block rewards, mixed with demand, pushes costs greater, and observers say the sample appears on monitor for 2025.
That view retains a easy timing mannequin alive: halving, then peak the subsequent yr. It’s tidy and it’s simple to mannequin, which is why many merchants nonetheless use it.
BTCUSD buying and selling at $111,357 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
Institutional Flows And Liquidity
Primarily based on stories, some voices now put extra weight on liquidity and institutional flows than on calendar-based occasions.
Analysts say the cycle will not be formally over till the market sees optimistic returns subsequent yr. The four-year cycle could also be completed.
Credit score: Francesco Carta fotografo/Getty Photos, Alice Morgan/Investopedia
They added that enterprise cycle dynamics clarify the peaks and troughs higher than halving dates. Market veterans maintain it sensible: cycles by no means really disappear — folks purchase, costs rise, then sellers clear the positive factors, and we begin once more.
How lengthy the bullish leg runs is dependent upon the place liquidity sits and the way a lot new capital arrives.
$BTC long-term holders have already realized extra revenue this cycle than in all however one prior cycle (2016–17), highlighting elevated sell-side strain. Taken alongside different indicators, this implies the market has entered a late section of the cycle. pic.twitter.com/PHXkOizXhz
— glassnode (@glassnode) August 26, 2025
Bitcoin Indicators And Stakes
In the meantime, Glassnode’s late-cycle sign is a warning, and it was made public on Aug. 20. Merchants who comply with on-chain metrics level to elevated promoting and diminished accumulation as indicators to tighten threat.
On the identical time, proponents of the halving-linked mannequin be aware the historic sample: bull peaks occurred after the halving in a number of cycles. Either side use laborious dates and numbers — years like 2011, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026 — to make their circumstances.
Featured picture from Equiti, chart from TradingView
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