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| URL | https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/03/25/bitcoin-is-down-20-in-2026-heres-why-things-could/ |
| Last Crawled | 2026-04-13 15:34:34 (1 day ago) |
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| Meta Title | Bitcoin Is Down Around 20% in 2026. Here's Why Things Could Still Get Worse for the Cryptocurrency | The Motley Fool |
| Meta Description | Without favorable crypto reform and lower interest rates, Bitcoin's value could plummet even further this year. |
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| Boilerpipe Text | Bitcoin
(
BTC
+1.63%
)
has often been touted as a "digital gold" and safe-haven type of investment that you can hang on to amid uncertainty in the markets. But that hasn't been the case this year. With multiple wars going on and concerns about inflation growing, investors haven't exactly been loading up on Bitcoin. Instead, the leading cryptocurrency has fallen by close to 20% thus far.
It's not proving to be much of a safe-haven asset these days. And there are potential headwinds that could result in the
leading cryptocurrency
dropping even further in value this year.
Image source: Getty Images.
Why Bitcoin might not rally anytime soon
Bitcoin is down around 44% from the highs it reached last year, but that doesn't mean that it may end up bouncing back soon. Investors have recently become concerned about the prospects for crypto reform this year, with new question marks about the Clarity Act, which seeks to create a framework for digital assets, to determine what is and isn't a security. The bill, however, contains a provision that prohibits yields on stablecoins, effectively making them less attractive to investors. That could be a major stumbling block. And if the bill doesn't pass, that may weigh on Bitcoin's valuation.
Furthermore, there's the uncertainty about rate cuts, which may pose further risk for Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative assets that tend to perform well when interest rates are low and investor risk appetite is high. But with inflation being a concern amid rising oil prices, there may be only one rate cut this year, and even that is by no means a sure thing.
BTC
Today's Change
(1.63%) $1151.04
Current Price
$71938.00
Bitcoin remains a highly risky investment
Investing in Bitcoin requires a high tolerance for risk, given how much government policy impacts its value. If interest rates don't come down significantly and if there isn't crypto-friendly reform on the horizon, then Bitcoin's value may plummet further, especially since many
crypto investors
were likely anticipating more favorable conditions under the Trump administration.
Even for long-term investors, however, there's still no shortage of risk here. If the midterm elections, which take place later this year, change who controls the House and Senate, that can lead to even more uncertainty as to what will happen with the Clarity Act and any other pieces of crypto-related legislation. It is virtually impossible to predict what will happen, and with all these factors potentially weighing on Bitcoin's valuation, it's going to remain a highly volatile investment for the foreseeable future.
If you're a risk-averse investor, you're likely better off avoiding Bitcoin, as there's no guarantee that it won't fall further this year. And even if you can stomach the risk, you may want to tread carefully. |
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# Bitcoin Is Down Around 20% in 2026. Here's Why Things Could Still Get Worse for the Cryptocurrency
Without favorable crypto reform and lower interest rates, Bitcoin's value could plummet even further this year.
By [David Jagielski, CPA](https://www.fool.com/author/20105/) – Mar 25, 2026 at 1:00PM EST
[Follow us](https://profile.google.com/cp/CgkvbS8wNTc4bWs)
Share
Summarize with AI
## Key Points
- Doubts are growing about whether the Clarity Act will pass this year, given a concerning provision involving stablecoin yields.
- There may only be a single rate cut this year, which isn't good news for cryptocurrencies.
- Bitcoin's valuation is likely to remain volatile given all the uncertainty in the current political environment.
**Bitcoin** ([BTC](https://www.fool.com/quote/crypto/btc/) \+1.63%) has often been touted as a "digital gold" and safe-haven type of investment that you can hang on to amid uncertainty in the markets. But that hasn't been the case this year. With multiple wars going on and concerns about inflation growing, investors haven't exactly been loading up on Bitcoin. Instead, the leading cryptocurrency has fallen by close to 20% thus far.
It's not proving to be much of a safe-haven asset these days. And there are potential headwinds that could result in the [leading cryptocurrency](https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/financials/cryptocurrency-stocks/guide-to-cryptocurrencies/) dropping even further in value this year.

Image source: Getty Images.
## Why Bitcoin might not rally anytime soon
Bitcoin is down around 44% from the highs it reached last year, but that doesn't mean that it may end up bouncing back soon. Investors have recently become concerned about the prospects for crypto reform this year, with new question marks about the Clarity Act, which seeks to create a framework for digital assets, to determine what is and isn't a security. The bill, however, contains a provision that prohibits yields on stablecoins, effectively making them less attractive to investors. That could be a major stumbling block. And if the bill doesn't pass, that may weigh on Bitcoin's valuation.
Furthermore, there's the uncertainty about rate cuts, which may pose further risk for Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative assets that tend to perform well when interest rates are low and investor risk appetite is high. But with inflation being a concern amid rising oil prices, there may be only one rate cut this year, and even that is by no means a sure thing.
Collapse
BTC
## [CRYPTO: BTC](https://www.fool.com/quote/crypto/btc/)
Bitcoin
Today's Change
(1.63%) \$1151.04
Current Price
\$71938.00
Unable to reach the data service. Please check your connection.
YTD
1w
1m
3m
6m
1y
5y
Price
VS S\&P
### Key Data Points
Market Cap
\$1.4T
Day's Range
\$70617.00 - \$72340.00
52wk Range
\$60255.56 - \$126079.89
Volume
34B
## Bitcoin remains a highly risky investment
Investing in Bitcoin requires a high tolerance for risk, given how much government policy impacts its value. If interest rates don't come down significantly and if there isn't crypto-friendly reform on the horizon, then Bitcoin's value may plummet further, especially since many [crypto investors](https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/financials/cryptocurrency-stocks/) were likely anticipating more favorable conditions under the Trump administration.
Even for long-term investors, however, there's still no shortage of risk here. If the midterm elections, which take place later this year, change who controls the House and Senate, that can lead to even more uncertainty as to what will happen with the Clarity Act and any other pieces of crypto-related legislation. It is virtually impossible to predict what will happen, and with all these factors potentially weighing on Bitcoin's valuation, it's going to remain a highly volatile investment for the foreseeable future.
If you're a risk-averse investor, you're likely better off avoiding Bitcoin, as there's no guarantee that it won't fall further this year. And even if you can stomach the risk, you may want to tread carefully.
## Read Next
Apr 13, 2026
•By [Neil Patel](https://www.fool.com/author/20294/)
[Is Bitcoin the Safest Cryptocurrency to Own for the Long Term?](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/04/13/is-bitcoin-safest-cryptocurrency-to-own-long-term/)
Apr 13, 2026
•By [Dominic Basulto](https://www.fool.com/author/20546/)
[Which Cryptocurrency Should You Be Hoarding Right Now, Bitcoin or Ethereum?](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/04/13/which-cryptocurrency-should-you-be-hoarding-right/)
Apr 13, 2026
•By [Alex Carchidi](https://www.fool.com/author/20287/)
[Holding Some Bitcoin Just Helped Me Sleep Better At Night. Here's How](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/04/13/holding-some-bitcoin-just-helped-me-sleep-better-a/)
Apr 13, 2026
•By [Alex Carchidi](https://www.fool.com/author/20287/)
[Strategy's Michael Saylor Says "Bitcoin Has Won." Does That Make It a Buy?](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/04/13/strategys-michael-saylor-says-bitcoin-has-won-does/)
Apr 12, 2026
•By [Alex Carchidi](https://www.fool.com/author/20287/)
[This 1 Bold Prediction About Bitcoin Could Change How to Invest in It Forever](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/04/12/this-1-bold-prediction-about-bitcoin-could-change/)
Apr 12, 2026
•By [Alex Carchidi](https://www.fool.com/author/20287/)
[Should You Be Using Polymarket to Invest in Crypto?](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/04/12/should-you-be-using-polymarket-to-invest-in-crypto/)
### About the Author

David Jagielski, CPA, has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering healthcare, consumer staples, consumer discretionary, and technology stocks since 2017. David has more than 10 years of experience in finance roles across businesses of different sizes and sectors. He holds a Certified Public Accountant designation in Canada.
[TMFdjagielski](https://www.fool.com/author/20105/)
*[David Jagielski, CPA](https://www.fool.com/author/20105/) has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a [disclosure policy](https://www.fool.com/legal/fool-disclosure-policy/).*
### Stocks Mentioned
[BT Bitcoin CRYPTO: BTC\$71,938.00 (+1.63%)+\$1,151.04](https://www.fool.com/quote/crypto/btc/)
\*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.
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| Readable Markdown | **Bitcoin** ([BTC](https://www.fool.com/quote/crypto/btc/) \+1.63%) has often been touted as a "digital gold" and safe-haven type of investment that you can hang on to amid uncertainty in the markets. But that hasn't been the case this year. With multiple wars going on and concerns about inflation growing, investors haven't exactly been loading up on Bitcoin. Instead, the leading cryptocurrency has fallen by close to 20% thus far.
It's not proving to be much of a safe-haven asset these days. And there are potential headwinds that could result in the [leading cryptocurrency](https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/financials/cryptocurrency-stocks/guide-to-cryptocurrencies/) dropping even further in value this year.

Image source: Getty Images.
## Why Bitcoin might not rally anytime soon
Bitcoin is down around 44% from the highs it reached last year, but that doesn't mean that it may end up bouncing back soon. Investors have recently become concerned about the prospects for crypto reform this year, with new question marks about the Clarity Act, which seeks to create a framework for digital assets, to determine what is and isn't a security. The bill, however, contains a provision that prohibits yields on stablecoins, effectively making them less attractive to investors. That could be a major stumbling block. And if the bill doesn't pass, that may weigh on Bitcoin's valuation.
Furthermore, there's the uncertainty about rate cuts, which may pose further risk for Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative assets that tend to perform well when interest rates are low and investor risk appetite is high. But with inflation being a concern amid rising oil prices, there may be only one rate cut this year, and even that is by no means a sure thing.
BTC
Today's Change
(1.63%) \$1151.04
Current Price
\$71938.00
## Bitcoin remains a highly risky investment
Investing in Bitcoin requires a high tolerance for risk, given how much government policy impacts its value. If interest rates don't come down significantly and if there isn't crypto-friendly reform on the horizon, then Bitcoin's value may plummet further, especially since many [crypto investors](https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/financials/cryptocurrency-stocks/) were likely anticipating more favorable conditions under the Trump administration.
Even for long-term investors, however, there's still no shortage of risk here. If the midterm elections, which take place later this year, change who controls the House and Senate, that can lead to even more uncertainty as to what will happen with the Clarity Act and any other pieces of crypto-related legislation. It is virtually impossible to predict what will happen, and with all these factors potentially weighing on Bitcoin's valuation, it's going to remain a highly volatile investment for the foreseeable future.
If you're a risk-averse investor, you're likely better off avoiding Bitcoin, as there's no guarantee that it won't fall further this year. And even if you can stomach the risk, you may want to tread carefully. |
| Shard | 88 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 16263700115757751488 |
| Unparsed URL | com,fool!www,/investing/2026/03/25/bitcoin-is-down-20-in-2026-heres-why-things-could/ s443 |