The End of Bitcoin's 4-Year Cycle: How Spot ETFs Rewrote the Crypto Playbook

Crypto's most famous predictable rhythm is fading into history. The 4-year cycle driven by Bitcoin halving events is being disrupted by the massive influx of institutional capital through spot ETFs, changing market dynamics forever.

How Spot ETFs Killed the Bitcoin 4-Year Cycle

For over a decade, the crypto market operated like clockwork. Every 4 years, a halving would slash the supply of new coins, typically triggering a massive bull run. However, with the launch of spot ETFs in the U.S., the script's changed. According to Reuters, institutional products have shifted the focus from supply-side shocks to demand-side liquidity, effectively smoothing out the extreme volatility seen in previous cycles.

The Institutionalization of Digital Assets

As Bitcoin matures into a mainstream asset class, its price movements are increasingly resembling traditional equities. Analysts suggest that the 'super-cycle'—a period of sustained growth without catastrophic crashes—might finally be here, as institutional 'diamond hands' replace retail speculators.