The bitcoin price currently appears to be on the verge of entering a euphoric phase of price action after an already strong bull market. However, has this cycle truly been as impressive as the USD price chart suggests, or could Bitcoin actually be underperforming when compared to other assets and historical cycles? This analysis digs into the numbers, compares multiple cycles, and examines Bitcoin’s performance not just against the US dollar, but also versus assets like Gold and US tech stocks, to give a clearer picture of where we really stand.
Previous Bitcoin Price Cycles
Looking at the Bitcoin Growth Since Cycle Lows chart, the data initially looks promising. From the lows at the tail end of the last bear market, Bitcoin has delivered returns of around 634% at the time of writing. These are significant gains, supported not only by price action but also by strong fundamentals. Institutional accumulation via ETFs and Bitcoin treasury holdings has been robust, and on-chain data shows a large proportion of long-term holders refusing to take profits. Historically, this is the kind of backdrop that precedes a strong run-up phase late in the bull cycle, similar to what we saw in prior cycles.
Current Bitcoin Price Cycle
Turning to the USD price chart on TradingView, the current bitcoin price cycle does not look bad at all, especially in terms of stability. The deepest retracement this cycle has been around 32%, which occurred after surpassing $100,000 and pulling back to roughly $74,000–$75,000. This is far milder than the 50% or greater drawdowns seen in past cycles. Reduced volatility could mean reduced upside potential, but it also makes the market less treacherous for investors. The price structure has followed a “step-up” pattern, sharp rallies followed by choppy consolidation, then another rally, repeatedly pushing toward new all-time highs. From a fundamental standpoint, the market remains strong.
Bitcoin Price vs Other Assets
When measuring Bitcoin against something more stable than the US dollar, such as the NASDAQ or other US tech stocks, a different picture emerges. US tech stocks are also high-growth, speculative assets, so this comparison is a more direct comparison than BTC vs USD. Here, Bitcoin’s performance looks less spectacular. In this current cycle, the climb beyond the previous high has been minimal. However, the chart shows Bitcoin currently turning prior resistance into support, which may set the foundation for a more sustained move higher. What we can also see, looking at the previous double-top cycle, is a second peak at a considerably lower level, suggesting that Bitcoin’s second peak in the last cycle may have been driven more by global liquidity expansion and fiat currency debasement than by genuine outperformance.
The “digital gold” narrative invites another important comparison, looking at BTC vs Gold. Bitcoin has still not surpassed its previous all-time high from the 2021 peak when measured in Gold. That means an investor who bought BTC at the 2021 peak and held until now would have underperformed compared to simply holding Gold. Since the last cycle lows, Bitcoin vs Gold has returned over 300%, but Gold itself has been in a powerful bull run. Measuring in Gold terms strips away fiat debasement effects and shows the “true” purchasing power of BTC.
True Purchasing Power
To take this a step further, adjusting the Bitcoin vs Gold chart for Global M2 money supply expansion paints an even more sobering picture. When accounting for the huge liquidity injections into the global economy in recent years, Bitcoin’s cycle peak price in “liquidity-adjusted Gold” terms is still below the prior peak. This helps explain the lack of retail excitement, as there’s no new high in real purchasing power terms.
Conclusion
So far, Bitcoin’s bull market has been impressive in dollar terms, with over 600% gains from the lows and a relatively low-volatility climb. Yet, when measured against assets like US tech stocks or Gold, and especially when adjusted for Global Liquidity expansion, the performance is far less extraordinary. The data suggests much of this cycle’s rally may have been fueled by fiat debasement rather than pure outperformance. While there’s still room for significant upside, especially if Bitcoin can break through the liquidity-adjusted resistance and push to even higher highs, investors should also pay close attention to these ratio charts. They offer a clearer perspective on relative performance and could provide valuable clues about where the bitcoin price might go next.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.