Bitcoin’s turbulent start to 2026 continues as prices slump to 15-month low

Core Viewpoint - Bitcoin has experienced a significant decline, reaching a 15-month low, with a recent modest recovery in trading prices [1]. Price Movement - Bitcoin's price fell to just above $60,000 before recovering to around $64,948, marking a 3.3% increase [1]. - This represents a 47% decrease from its peak of $122,200 in October of the previous year [2]. Market Influences - The decline in Bitcoin's value occurred despite support from US President Donald Trump, who has implemented pro-crypto policies [3]. - Analysts attribute market concerns to Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the US Federal Reserve, who is anticipated to favor higher interest rates, negatively impacting speculative assets like cryptocurrencies [4]. Broader Market Impact - Other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum and Solana, have also faced significant losses, contributing to a total market decline of over $2 trillion since the peak in October [4]. - Analysts have indicated that Bitcoin could potentially drop below $40,000, highlighting a correlation between cryptocurrency valuations and the strength of the US dollar [5].