When Is the Next Crypto Bull Run Happening?

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Historically, cryptocurrency bull runs follow a predictable four-year cycle, often gaining momentum about six months after a Bitcoin halving event. With the most recent halving occurring in April 2024, the market entered a new bullish phase by November 2024—marking the beginning of what many now refer to as the 2025 bull run. While Bitcoin has already surged past $100,000 and some altcoins have seen explosive growth, experts agree this rally is far from over.

From Bitcoin’s meteoric rise to the proliferation of thousands of innovative altcoins, the crypto market continues to captivate investors and technologists alike. A recurring question among market participants is: When is the next crypto bull run happening? The answer lies in understanding historical patterns, key market drivers, and early warning signs that signal a shift from accumulation to euphoria.

Understanding the Crypto Bull Run Cycle

A crypto bull run is a sustained period of rising prices across the digital asset market. During such phases, investor sentiment turns overwhelmingly optimistic, trading volumes spike, and new capital floods in from both retail and institutional players. These rallies are often fueled by a combination of technological progress, macroeconomic trends, and increasing adoption.

Unlike traditional financial markets, the crypto space is highly cyclical. Each bull run is typically followed by a prolonged bear market, creating a boom-and-bust rhythm that has repeated over the past decade. Recognizing this pattern helps investors make strategic decisions rather than react emotionally to price swings.

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What Drives a Crypto Bull Run?

Several interconnected factors contribute to the onset and intensity of a bull market in cryptocurrencies. Understanding these catalysts can help investors anticipate future rallies and position themselves accordingly.

1. Bitcoin Halving Events

One of the most significant triggers for bull runs is the Bitcoin halving, which occurs approximately every four years. This event cuts the block reward for miners in half, effectively reducing the supply of new Bitcoin entering the market. Historically, reduced supply—coupled with steady or increasing demand—has led to substantial price appreciation.

The 2024 halving followed this trend, with prices beginning their upward trajectory just months later. Past data shows that bull markets tend to peak 12–18 months after each halving, suggesting the current rally could extend well into 2026.

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2. Market Sentiment and Hype

Public perception plays a powerful role in crypto markets. Positive news cycles, celebrity endorsements, viral social media trends, and mainstream media coverage can generate FOMO (fear of missing out), driving retail investors to buy en masse. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit often act as amplifiers during these periods.

For example, during the 2025 bull run, speculation around Ripple’s legal victory over the SEC propelled XRP from $0.50 to over $3.30 in just two months—a clear sign of sentiment-driven momentum.

3. Institutional Adoption

Increased acceptance by banks, payment processors, and investment firms lends credibility to digital assets. When major institutions begin offering crypto products—such as ETFs, custody solutions, or trading desks—it signals growing legitimacy and attracts conservative investors who were previously on the sidelines.

The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in early 2024 was a pivotal moment, injecting billions in fresh capital and setting the stage for the current rally.

4. Technological Innovation

Breakthroughs in blockchain technology—such as Layer-2 scaling solutions, decentralized finance (DeFi), and real-world asset tokenization—can reignite investor interest. Projects that solve real problems or offer scalable infrastructure often outperform during bull markets.

Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake and its ongoing upgrades have kept it relevant despite underperforming relative to other altcoins in 2025.

5. Macroeconomic Conditions

Global economic uncertainty often drives investors toward alternative stores of value. Inflation, currency devaluation, geopolitical tensions, and loose monetary policy can all increase demand for scarce digital assets like Bitcoin.

Interestingly, the 2025 bull run coincided with a shift in U.S. regulatory sentiment under renewed political leadership favorable to crypto innovation—a stark contrast to earlier skepticism.

Historical Bull Runs: Patterns and Performance

Analyzing past cycles reveals consistent timing and behavioral patterns:

Despite varying catalysts, each cycle lasted roughly four years, with drawdowns averaging around 80% after peaks—except for 2025, where early data shows only a -15% dip so far, indicating strong holding patterns among investors.

Signs That Signal the Next Bull Run

While no one can predict the exact start date of a bull market with certainty, several indicators can help identify its early stages:

Tools like on-chain analytics and sentiment trackers are increasingly used to gauge market health beyond price alone.

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How to Prepare for the Next Crypto Bull Run

Rather than trying to time the market perfectly, seasoned investors focus on long-term strategies:

Adopt a HODL Mindset

The “HODL” philosophy—holding assets through volatility—has proven effective over multiple cycles. Investors who held through previous bear markets reaped significant rewards during subsequent bull runs.

Diversify Your Portfolio

Spreading investments across established coins (BTC, ETH), high-potential altcoins, and emerging sectors like AI-blockchain hybrids can balance risk and reward.

Conduct Fundamental Analysis

Evaluate projects based on team credibility, use case viability, tokenomics, and community strength—not just price momentum.

Use Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

Regularly investing fixed amounts reduces exposure to short-term volatility and builds position over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are we currently in a crypto bull run?
A: Yes. The current bull run began in November 2024, approximately six months after the April Bitcoin halving. Prices have reached new highs, particularly for Bitcoin and select altcoins.

Q: When did previous bull runs peak?
A: 2013 peak – December 2013; 2017 peak – December 2017; 2021 peak – November 2021. If history repeats, the 2025 cycle may peak in late 2025 or early 2026.

Q: What causes a crypto bull run?
A: Key drivers include Bitcoin halvings, institutional adoption, positive regulation, technological advancements, and macroeconomic factors.

Q: How long do crypto bull runs last?
A: Typically 12–18 months from the start of significant price increases. They are followed by bear markets lasting 2–3 years.

Q: Will Ethereum perform better in this bull run?
A: So far, Ethereum has lagged behind Bitcoin and some altcoins despite reaching $4,000 again. Its performance may improve if DeFi and Layer-2 activity accelerates later in the cycle.

Q: When is the next Bitcoin halving?
A: Expected in 2028, which could set the stage for the next major bull run around 2029.

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