Major crypto assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, saw late December sell-offs, ending 2025 below seasonal norms.
Bitcoin entered the final quarter of 2025 with strong expectations, yet the year ended differently. Data released by Coinglass shows a sharp reversal in fourth-quarter performance. The seasonal trend that supported prices for years failed, as Bitcoin and Ethereum closed Q4 with heavy losses across markets worldwide.
Bitcoin Records Second-Worst Fourth Quarter On Record
CoinGlass data shows Bitcoin fell 23.07% during the fourth quarter of 2025. This result stood far below the historical average return of 77.07%. It also missed the long term median return of 47.73% recorded since 2013. The quarter ranked as Bitcoin’s second-worst Q4 performance.
Only the fourth quarter of 2018 showed a deeper decline for Bitcoin. That period ended with a 42.16% loss during a prolonged bear market. In contrast, most previous Q4 periods delivered strong gains. Several years posted double-digit or triple-digit returns.
Bitcoin reached new highs earlier in the quarter but reversed after October. Selling pressure increased and erased prior gains. The asset closed in December well below its quarterly opening price. This reversal placed 2025 outside its established seasonal pattern.
Ethereum Mirrors Broad Market Weakness In Q4 2025
Ethereum followed a similar path during the same period. Coinglass reported a 28.28% decline for Ethereum in Q4 2025. This ranked as the fourth-worst fourth quarter in Ethereum’s trading history. The performance reflected broader weakness across major digital assets.
Historically, Ethereum often benefits from year-end momentum. Past cycles showed stronger Q4 activity during periods of rising market confidence. However, 2025 ended with sustained risk aversion. Capital outflows affected Bitcoin, Ethereum, and several large altcoins.
According to Coinglass data, Bitcoin’s return in Q4 2025 was -23.07%, well below the historical average of 77.07% and the median of 47.73%, marking the second-worst Q4 performance on record, behind only Q4 2018 at -42.16%. Ethereum’s return in Q4 2025 was -28.28%, ranking as the… pic.twitter.com/Fh34X9QcvW
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 1, 2026
Market data indicated that selling was not isolated to one sector. Decentralized finance tokens and infrastructure assets also declined. Trading volumes decreased during late December sessions. This behavior aligned with reduced investor participation.
Related Readings: Metaplanet Buys 4,279 BTC in Q4 2025, Holdings Reach 35,102 Bitcoin
Seasonal Patterns Break as 2025 Closes Under Pressure
Bitcoin’s fourth-quarter strength had remained consistent for over a decade. Since 2013, Q4 delivered positive returns in most years. The quarter often supported recovery after slower summer periods. That pattern failed to repeat in 2025.
The -23.07% quarterly return placed Bitcoin far outside historical norms. Ethereum’s losses further confirmed a broad market shift. Both assets ended the year under pressure rather than in recovery. This outcome reshaped expectations for late-cycle behavior.
Data from Coinglass shows that 2025 stood apart from previous cycles. The year ended without the typical holiday rally. Market participants faced a weaker close than expected. These figures now form part of long-term crypto market records.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
From Ethereum Knowledge Into Opportunity: Bitcoin Everlight App Now Offering 21% APY Rewards
In early 2026, Ethereum staking continues to expand despite the sustained turbulence in prices across the broader cryptocurrency market. Participation in protocol staking remains high even as the returns compress. This reinforces Ethereum’s role as one of the core infrastructure assets while
CryptoPotato5m ago
Base58 Labs’ BASIS 2026 Blueprint Forges a New Standard for BTC, ETH, SOL & PAXG
[PRESS RELEASE – London, UK, March 17th, 2026]
New roadmap positions BASIS as an institutional-grade digital asset management platform built for macro volatility, tokenized safe-haven demand, and frictionless Web3 onboarding.
Base58 Labs today unveiled the BASIS 2026 Technical Blueprint &
CryptoPotato12m ago
This Oversold Signal Has Triggered 350%, 1,800%, and 2,700% Bitcoin Surges Before
Although it has performed relatively well since the war in the Middle East broke out nearly a month ago, and has dwarfed gold in terms of gains within this period, bitcoin is far from its best shape observed in October last year.
The cryptocurrency trades nearly 50% below its all-time high of
CryptoPotato16m ago
BTC & ETH Entering a New Era? Analysts Say Yes — This Platform Is Already Paying Real BTC Rewards
Grayscale called it the “dawn of the institutional era.” Bitwise predicted Bitcoin will break its four-year cycle and set new all-time highs. Bitcoin Suisse published a scenario where Bitcoin approaches $180,000 and Ethereum reaches $8,000 on the back of Fed rate cuts and accelerating institutiona
CryptoPotato32m ago
Moody's Assigns Ba2 Rating to $100M Bitcoin-Backed Revenue Bonds From New Hampshire Authority
Moody’s Ratings has assigned provisional Ba2 ratings to up to $100 million in bitcoin-backed taxable revenue bonds set to be issued by the Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire.
Moody’s Rates $100M Bitcoin-Collateralized Revenue Bonds
According to the release from Moody’s
Coinpedia1h ago
