Bitcoin's 4-year cycle pattern could be breaking down this time around—and that changes everything. Analysts are eyeing a potential $250K target for 2026, but here's the crucial part: if the traditional cycle dynamics truly fracture, the upside might be far more dramatic than historical precedent suggests.

What's driving this thesis? Two converging forces. First, institutional and retail liquidity in the crypto market has reached new depths compared to previous cycles. Second, mainstream adoption keeps expanding—more payment rails, more custody solutions, more regulatory clarity in key markets. That's not just noise; that's structural.

When you combine weakening cyclical pressure with strengthening fundamentals, you get a different kind of bull run. Not the kind that follows the old playbook. The move could be substantial, but it requires actually being positioned beforehand. Those who wait for confirmation might find themselves chasing after the real momentum has already shifted.