Bitcoin's cycle bottom is in, according to analyst Michaël van de Poppe. The cryptocurrency entered a sustained uptrend in early April 2026, climbing from roughly $67,500 to a peak near $80,000 — a gain of about 20%. But van de Poppe isn't calling for a straight shot higher. He expects Bitcoin could retest the $70,000–$75,000 range before resuming its bull rally.
The bottom call
Van de Poppe's analysis pins the recent low as the floor for this cycle. He points to Bitcoin's move from $67,500 in early April to the current $80,900 level as confirmation the trend has flipped. The 20% gain breaks a period of sideways trading and suggests buyers are back in control.
Two resistance walls
Van de Poppe identifies two key resistance zones ahead. The first is $86,000–$88,000, which served as support from November through January. The second is $93,000–$95,000, home to the 50-Week Moving Average. Historically, Bitcoin has struggled at these levels during the first rally of a bull cycle — 2017, 2021, and 2024 all saw similar patterns.
The 50-Week Moving Average is particularly important. It has consistently acted as a major flip zone in Bitcoin bull markets when it sits below the 200-week moving average. That's the case now.
Altcoin window
Van de Poppe predicts Bitcoin may consolidate around those resistance zones for several weeks. If that happens, he says altcoins could rally. The logic: capital rotates out of BTC into smaller assets while the big coin cools off. It's a familiar dynamic from previous cycles.
Pullback risk
Don't get too comfortable. Van de Poppe warns Bitcoin could dip back to the $70,000–$75,000 range before the next leg up. That's a 7–13% drop from current prices. It wouldn't invalidate the bull case — but it would shake out late buyers.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades at $80,900, up 1.02% over the past day. Daily trading volume is down 44.29% to $19.29 billion, suggesting the market is waiting for a catalyst.
