Bitcoin edges closer to all-time high as Ethereum’s rally faces steeper climb
Bitcoin needs a 49% gain to reclaim its October 2025 peak of $126,080, while Ethereum requires an 83% surge to reach its August 2025 high of $4,950, according to 24/7 Wall St. data.
Source: 24/7 Wall St. · September 27, 2026 at 10:02 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceKUALA LUMPUR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Bitcoin needs a 49% gain to reclaim its October 2025 peak of $126,080, while Ethereum requires an 83% surge to reach its August 2025 high of $4,950, according to 24/7 Wall St. data.
Market Impact
The disparity in required gains reflects divergent paths: Bitcoin’s stronger macro positioning and more stable price action have given it a clear advantage, even as Ethereum’s recent 72% rally over the past three months has narrowed the momentum gap.
Bitcoin’s current price of $84,900—down 33% from its all-time high—marks a more modest decline than Ethereum’s 45% drop to $2,710. While Bitcoin has fallen 23% from a year ago and contracted 4% in 2026, it has rallied 32% over the past two months, crossing $85,000 for the first time since January. Its smaller required gain and historical resilience in bear markets position it as the more likely candidate to reclaim its peak first.
Ethereum’s trajectory is more precarious. Trading near $2,710—a 33% decline over the past year and a 9% drop in 2026—it has surged 72% since late June, outpacing Bitcoin’s 42% gain over the same period. The challenge lies in the sheer scale of its required recovery: an 83% climb from its current level, compared to Bitcoin’s 49%.
Market cap dynamics further complicate the race. Ethereum’s $331 billion market cap means its price is more volatile to buying pressure than Bitcoin’s $1.7 trillion, according to 24/7 Wall St. This dual-edged sword—faster gains if momentum holds, but sharper corrections if sentiment reverses—could derail Ethereum’s rally before Bitcoin crosses $100,000.
Analysts highlight Bitcoin’s institutional appeal as a tailwind. Macro investor Jordi Visser described it as “the purest AI trade,” a narrative that has drawn steady demand. Ethereum’s recent strength, however, hinges on sustaining its rapid pace—a rarity in crypto cycles, per 24/7 Wall St. A slowdown could leave its rally vulnerable to reversal, especially if macro conditions shift.
For now, Bitcoin’s closer proximity to its all-time high and more stable demand narrative give it the edge. If it maintains its current trajectory, it could reach $126,080 within 100 days. Ethereum, meanwhile, would need to sustain its 72% pace to hit $4,950 in the same timeframe—a less likely outcome given its larger required gain and higher volatility.
The outcome hinges on two factors: Bitcoin’s ability to attract sustained buying pressure and Ethereum’s capacity to avoid a sharp correction. If Ethereum’s rally falters, Bitcoin’s path to reclaiming its peak becomes even clearer. But if Ethereum maintains its momentum, it could still outpace Bitcoin—though the odds favor the latter unless macro conditions shift decisively.
Related: Jordi Visser