Bitcoin May Post Worst Q4 Performance Since 2018 Amid Weak Market Recovery

In accordance with Chainthink, on December 23, 2025, Bitcoin recently rebounded to nearly $90,000, offering short-term relief to the crypto market. However, analysts believe the move does not signal a trend reversal. CoinGlass data shows Bitcoin has fallen more than 22% in the fourth quarter of 2025, potentially making it one of the worst-performing quarters since 2018. Despite the total crypto market cap re-entering the $3 trillion threshold, market sentiment remains cautious. Analysts suggest the rebound is more a result of technical correction after prolonged declines rather than fresh capital inflows. FxPro's Chief Market Analyst Alex Kuptsikevich noted the current trend is not a true recovery. As of the Asian session, Bitcoin hovered near $88,000, still about 30% below its 2025 high and below its year-start level. Major tokens remained in consolidation, with XRP, ETH, SOL, ADA, and DOGE seeing slight gains, while AAVE continued to weaken due to governance disputes, falling about 7% in 24 hours. Seasonal factors also reinforce caution. Historical data shows that although Q4 is typically a strong period for Bitcoin, in years with tighter liquidity and macroeconomic uncertainty, year-end pullbacks are common. The market continues to see frequent sell-offs during U.S. trading hours, and short-term volatility remains high.