January is now just a few hours away and it’s time for us to reflect on how the Bitcoin price performed this month, historically.
Bitcoin is now trading below $94,000 after hitting an all-time high of around $107,000 earlier in December.
The most remarkable January performances in Bitcoin’s history occurred during its early years. In January 2011, Bitcoin demonstrated extraordinary growth, climbing from $0.3 to $0.5, delivering a 66.7% return. Similarly, January 2013 saw Bitcoin rise from approximately $13.00 to $20.00, resulting in a 53.8% gain.
However, such dramatic percentage increases are unlikely to repeat given Bitcoin’s current massive market capitalization.
| Year | Start Price in January (USD) | End Price in January (USD) | % Change |
| 2011 | ~$0.30 | ~$0.50 | ~66.7% |
| 2012 | ~$5.00 | ~$6.00 | ~20% |
| 2013 | ~$13.00 | ~$20.00 | ~53.8% |
| 2014 | ~$750.00 | ~$850.00 | ~13.3% |
| 2015 | ~$300.00 | ~$250.00 | ~-16.7% |
| 2016 | ~$430.00 | ~$370.00 | ~-14.0% |
| 2017 | ~$1,000.00 | ~$920.00 | ~-8.0% |
| 2018 | ~$14,000.00 | ~$10,000.00 | ~-28.6% |
| 2019 | ~$3,800.00 | ~$3,500.00 | ~-7.9% |
| 2020 | ~$7,200.00 | ~$9,300.00 | ~29.2% |
| 2021 | ~$29,000.00 | ~$32,000.00 | ~10.3% |
| 2022 | ~$46,000.00 | ~$38,000.00 | ~-17.4% |
| 2023 | ~$16,500.00 | ~$23,000.00 | ~39.4% |
| 2024 | ~$42,000.00 | ~$43,000.00 | ~2.4% |
Market Corrections and Post-US Election Patterns
The most significant January downturn occurred in 2018, following the spectacular bull run of late 2017. Bitcoin started that month around $14,000 and declined to approximately $10,000, representing a 28.6% decrease. This pattern of January corrections often follows major market peaks.
Looking at post-US election years, Bitcoin’s performance has been mixed. In January 2017, following the 2016 election, Bitcoin experienced a modest decline of about 8.0%, moving from $1,000 to $920. The pattern shifted in January 2021 (post-2020 election), when Bitcoin recorded a 10.3% increase, rising from $29,000 to $32,000.
January’s performance typically aligns with broader market trends. During bear markets, like in 2018 and 2022, the downward pressure tends to continue. Conversely, recovery phases, such as 2023, often show positive performance. The post-election January results suggest that Bitcoin’s movement depends more on prevailing market conditions and macroeconomic factors than electoral cycles.
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