Crypto Lags Gold and Stocks, but 2026 May Spark Catch-Up Rally
Despite lagging gold and stocks since November, crypto has a chance to catch up in 2026, according to Santiment.Summary
Market intelligence platform Santiment reports that Bitcoin is trailing gold (up 9%) and the S&P 500 (up 1%) since November, during which Bitcoin fell 20%. Analysts suggest that while crypto lags now, there remains an opportunity for a catch-up rally in 2026. A key indicator for a bullish shift would be renewed accumulation by large holders (whales), who slowed down in the latter half of 2025. Historically, a flip from a bear to a bull pattern occurs when large wallets accumulate while retail investors sell. Furthermore, long-term Bitcoin holders have stopped selling their positions. Some analysts, like Garrett Jin, speculate that capital is already beginning to flow back into crypto from other sectors like metals, citing a recent rise in active Bitcoin addresses, suggesting a potential shift may already be underway.
(Source：Cointelegraph)