Crypto Winter Ahead? Coinbase Warns of Bearish Signals Across the Market

Cryptocurrency markets are showing several converging signs of weakness, suggesting a potential onset of another “crypto winter,” according to a recent report by Coinbase Institutional.

Despite a brief price recovery in Bitcoin, broader indicators are flashing caution due to sustained macroeconomic uncertainty and diminished capital inflow into the sector.

Venture Capital Pullback and Shifting Metrics

David Duong, Head of Research at Coinbase Institutional, outlined the current market in a note published Tuesday. He emphasized that the total crypto market capitalization, excluding Bitcoin, has declined by over 41% since peaking at $1.6 trillion in December 2024, now sitting around $950 billion.

This figure is also down 17% from the same time last year and even lower than levels recorded between August 2021 and April 2022. Meanwhile, Bitcoin has shown relative strength with a smaller 20% drop during the same timeframe, increasing its market dominance.

Duong highlighted the ongoing retreat of venture capital investment in crypto, which, despite a slight uptick in Q1, remains 50% to 60% below the peak levels from the 2021–2022 cycle. This decline has limited the introduction of new liquidity, especially for altcoins, thereby amplifying concerns about the health of the broader market.

Instead of relying on price swings alone—often misleading in crypto due to inherent volatility—Duong suggests using risk-adjusted metrics and long-term moving averages for more accurate trend analysis.

For example, during the last major correction from November 2021 to November 2022, Bitcoin declined 1.4 standard deviations below its historical average, a move comparable in significance to a 1.3 standard deviation drop in equities during the same period.

Duong noted that while these z-score measures are informative, they tend to lag in stable markets and may not quickly capture shifts in investor sentiment. As a complement, Coinbase Institutional monitors the 200-day moving average (200DMA) to identify sustained bull or bear trends.

According to this model, Bitcoin’s drop below its 200DMA in March signals a bearish turn, while the COIN50 Index, which tracks the top 50 crypto assets by market cap, has been in bear territory since February.

Market Structure Under Pressure but Potential Stabilization Ahead

The report also pointed to systemic pressures caused by high interest rates, trade tariffs, and ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties. These factors have weighed heavily on traditional risk assets and, by extension, digital assets.

Duong noted that despite positive regulatory developments in the US, such as increased institutional adoption and pending legislation, these tailwinds have not yet reversed the broader negative trend. Still, the Coinbase Institutional outlook is not entirely bleak.

Duong stated that while investors should maintain a defensive posture for now, market sentiment could stabilize in mid-to-late Q2, potentially setting the stage for a recovery in Q3 2025. He emphasized that when a market reset occurs, it often does so rapidly—making it important for long-term investors to stay prepared.

Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView