Bitcoin on Track for Second-Best Q3 Ever

Bitcoin is on track to record its second-strongest third quarter in CoinGlass data, marking a dramatic reversal after a difficult first half of 2026.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency has gained roughly 43.5% during the July-September period, according to CoinGlass. That would make Q3 2026 the second-best Q3 in the platform’s dataset, trailing only the explosive 80.41% gain recorded in 2017.

Bitcoin is currently changing hands at roughly $84,800, according to CoinGecko.

The current quarter has even managed to edge out 2013, when Bitcoin gained 40.6% during Q3.

It is a sharp turnaround for Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency lost 22.2% in the first quarter before shedding another 14.09% in Q2, according to the CoinGlass table. A roughly 43.5% Q3 gain would therefore snap a two-quarter losing streak.

Q3 tends to be comparatively subdued

Historically, the third quarter has been substantially less spectacular.

CoinGlass puts Bitcoin's average Q3 return at just 8.73%, with a median return of only 2.29%. Eight of the 14 Q3 periods displayed in the table have been positive.

This makes the roughly 43.5% advance in 2026 particularly notable.

Only 2017, when Bitcoin surged 80.41% during Q3, has performed better. The 2026 return has already surpassed 2013's 40.6% gain by roughly three percentage points.