Bitcoin and Ethereum Close Q1 2026 with Significant Losses

According to data from Coinglass, the first quarter of 2026 has been particularly challenging for major cryptocurrencies. Both leading coins recorded negative performances that starkly contrast with their historical trends, marking one of the weakest periods in their histories.

Bitcoin: Third Worst Q1 Since 2013

Bitcoin’s return in Q1 2026 was -23.21%, making it the third worst quarter since 2013 for this cryptocurrency. This result is significantly below the historical average of 45.90% that Bitcoin has achieved in previous first quarters. The contrast is notable: while historically Q1 is typically a bullish period for Bitcoin, in 2026 the trend completely reversed.

To put it in context, the -23.21% decline in Q1 reflects the selling pressure Bitcoin faced during these three months, far from the average strength this quarter usually exhibits year after year.

Ethereum: Even Weaker Performance in Q1

Ethereum experienced an even more pronounced decline in Q1 2026, reaching -32.17%, which is the third worst quarterly record since 2016. This contraction is widely below the historical average of 66.45% for Q1, as well as the historical median of 4.37%.

Ethereum’s performance in Q1 2026 highlights the characteristic volatility of altcoins during market correction periods. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum typically experiences larger swings, which is reflected in the magnitude of its quarterly decline.

What It Means for the Market

The combination of both negative results suggests that Q1 2026 marked a turning point in the cryptocurrency market, disrupting favorable historical patterns. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum closed Q1 in the red territory, indicating macroeconomic pressures or sector-specific factors that dominated the quarter.