Bitcoin is poised to record its second strongest third quarter in history, according to CoinGlass data. From July to September 2026, the cryptocurrency has gained approximately 43.5%. This makes the third quarter of 2026 the second most successful third quarter on record, surpassed only by the impressive 80.41% increase recorded in 2017.
Currently, Bitcoin is trading at around $84,800, according to CoinGecko. The current quarter has already surpassed the third quarter of 2013, when Bitcoin rose by 40.6%. This growth marks a sharp turnaround after a challenging first half of 2026, during which the cryptocurrency lost 22.2% in the first quarter and another 14.09% in the second quarter. The 43.5% gain in the third quarter breaks a two-quarter decline. Traditionally, the third quarter has been less successful for Bitcoin compared to other periods. With an average return of 8.73% and a median of 2.29%, only eight out of 14 third quarters in history have shown positive results. This highlights the significance of the 43.5% growth in 2026.
Historically, the fourth quarter has shown much stronger results. The average return during this period is 77.07%, with a median of – 47.73%. Out of 13 completed fourth quarters, eight ended positively. During this period, the cryptocurrency has demonstrated explosive increases, such as 479.59% in 2013, 215.07% in 2017, and 168.02% in 2020. However, the fourth quarter has not always been successful: Bitcoin lost 42.16% in the fourth quarter of 2018 and 23.07% in 2025.
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