Bitcoin Stumbles Hard: The Worst Q1 In Years Raises Big Questions

Bitcoin ended the first quarter of 2026 at $68,200 after falling 22% over the period, its weakest opening three months since 2018. The slide erased an early push higher that had briefly carried the cryptocurrency close to $95,000 before the market turned lower. Related Reading: XRP Could Soon Enter Arizona’s Treasury — Here’s What’s Happening A Sharp Turn After A Strong Start The quarter did not begin quietly. Bitcoin opened the year at a little past $87,000 and moved higher in the early stretch, showing enough strength to reach nearly $95,000. That momentum did not last. The price later sank to about $60,000 on February 6, marking a fast shift in tone after a strong start to the year. From there, the market kept swinging. Bitcoin managed a brief rebound to around $70,000 later in February, but the recovery faded. Selling pressure returned as tension in the Middle East spread through risk markets, and Bitcoin slipped again, touching about $63,000 before the quarter ended. Coinglass dat