A complete timeline of every major Bitcoin bear market from 2011 to 2026 — peak and trough prices, maximum drawdown, duration, causes, and recovery time for each cycle.
Historically, Bitcoin bear markets have lasted about 12–15 months from peak to trough, with full recovery to new all-time highs taking 2–3 years.
Major Bitcoin bear markets have seen drawdowns of roughly 70–85% from the all-time high. They have become progressively less severe as the asset matures.
There have been several major Bitcoin bear markets — 2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2018, and 2021–2022 — each following a peak-to-trough-to-recovery pattern detailed on this page.