North American Hours Lead Bitcoin’s 2026 Rally
Bitcoin’s price action in 2026 has shown a clear temporal pattern, with most of the upward momentum concentrated during North American trading hours. The asset’s year-to-date gain of nearly 10% was largely driven by an 8% return within this single session, marking a pivotal shift in market dynamics.
Regional Performance Shows Sharp Divergence
While North America leads the charge, European markets have posted only modest gains of around 3%. The Asian session, meanwhile, has consistently underperformed, acting as a drag on overall returns. This stands in stark contrast to late 2025, when Bitcoin plunged nearly 20% during U.S. hours, dropping close to $80,000.
A Reversal of Market Weakness
What was once the weakest period for Bitcoin—U.S. market open—has now become its strongest. Despite ongoing outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs and declining exchange premiums, prices are rising sharply, suggesting that demand may be coming from non-U.S. sources.
Global Capital Is Reshaping Trading Patterns
- Price movements during U.S. hours reflect not just domestic activity but global exchange convergence
- Strong buying pressure may originate overseas, even as local investor sentiment remains cautious
- The market’s timing is shifting from regional cycles to a globally coordinated rhythm with Western dominance
This evolution highlights a maturing price discovery process, where North American hours increasingly serve as the catalyst for broader market moves—potentially setting the tone for future Bitcoin trends.