Bitcoin selling pressure may finally be nearing exhaustion, according to on-chain analyst Willy Woo, who believes the market could enter a sideways consolidation phase before a stronger recovery in late 2026.
After weeks of range-bound movement, Bitcoin has struggled to reclaim bullish momentum. However, several analysts now argue that the aggressive sell-off that defined recent months is close to completion.
Bitcoin Selling Pressure Shows Signs of Exhaustion
Woo recently suggested that the bearish sell-down by investors “seems to have exhausted,” giving Bitcoin room to consolidate sideways for several weeks. While a short-term rebound toward the mid-$70,000 region is possible, he warned that such a move could face rejection before a more sustainable uptrend begins.
Currently, Bitcoin price action remains trapped between $60,000 and $70,000. The leading cryptocurrency briefly slipped below $67,000 during late trading sessions but continues to hold above key structural support levels.
According to Woo, the fourth quarter of 2026 could mark the end of the bearish trend, with stronger bullish momentum potentially returning in Q1 or Q2 of 2027.
Despite this outlook, broader market conditions remain cautious. Spot and futures liquidity have deteriorated, creating a heavily bearish environment. Woo emphasized that Bitcoin rarely rallies when both spot and derivatives liquidity trend downward simultaneously.
Macro Risks Could Pressure Bitcoin Price
While Bitcoin selling pressure appears to be fading, macroeconomic uncertainty still poses risks.
Woo highlighted that Bitcoin has largely existed within a secular macro bull market since its inception. If global macro conditions weaken significantly, deeper downside scenarios could emerge. In such a case:
- $30,000 may act as a major fallback support level
- $16,000 could represent the final structural support to maintain the long-term bull cycle
These levels would only come into focus if broader economic conditions deteriorate sharply.
Analysts Say Bitcoin Bottom May Be Forming
Other industry leaders share similar views.
Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, explained that Bitcoin’s recent decline is largely due to long-term holders reducing exposure.
According to Hougan, investors sold Bitcoin for several reasons:
- The traditional four-year crypto cycle
- Concerns surrounding emerging technologies
- Capital rotation into AI start-ups
- Portfolio rebalancing strategies
However, he believes that most of the forced selling is nearly complete.
Hougan described the current market phase as a “classic crypto winter,” predicting that a “classic crypto spring” and new all-time highs will eventually follow once the bottoming process concludes.
RSI Signals Support Consolidation Outlook
Technical indicators also reinforce the narrative that Bitcoin selling pressure has peaked.
Research lead Andri Fauzan Adziima noted that Bitcoin’s weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) recently hit historic oversold levels. Traditionally, such readings indicate seller exhaustion and often precede stabilization or recovery.
This supports expectations of prolonged sideways movement rather than an immediate V-shaped recovery.
Market analysts anticipate:
- Repeated tests of $62,000–$65,000 support
- Range-bound action between $60,000–$70,000
- Weeks or months of consolidation
A decisive breakout may require sustained spot ETF inflows or a macro risk-on shift in global markets.
Meanwhile, Jeff Ko, chief analyst at CoinEx, suggested that after a steep 50% drawdown, markets typically need three to six months to repair sentiment before a meaningful rally can begin.
He compared the current structure to the prolonged sideways period that followed the collapse of Terraform Labs and its LUNA ecosystem.
Months of Sideways Consolidation Ahead
Although Bitcoin selling pressure is fading, expectations for an immediate breakout remain low.
The market appears to be transitioning from aggressive distribution into accumulation and consolidation. Historically, these phases are marked by:
- Lower volatility
- Declining volume
- Gradual improvement in sentiment
- Institutional accumulation
If ETF inflows improve and macroeconomic stability returns, Bitcoin could attempt a sustainable recovery later in 2026. Until then, traders should prepare for extended sideways action.
Final Outlook: Bitcoin Selling Pressure Nearing End
The consensus among analysts suggests that Bitcoin selling pressure is almost exhausted. While macro risks remain, technical indicators and liquidity trends point toward consolidation rather than continued sharp decline.
If history repeats, this period may represent the later stages of a crypto winter — setting the foundation for the next bullish cycle.
For long-term investors, patience may be the key strategy as the market stabilizes and prepares for its next major move.