From 2012 to 2024: How Bitcoin Has Historically Reacted to U.S. Elections

With just 65 days remaining until the U.S. presidential election, bitcoin wrapped up August with an 8.6% decline compared to where it started the month.

Bitcoin (BTC) price movements have historically shown substantial increases after each U.S. presidential election. However, the peaks of each bull cycle occurred roughly a year later. For example, during the U.S. election on Nov. 5, 2016, BTC was trading at $703 per coin, and by the end of 2017, it surged close to $20,000. Similarly, on Nov. 5, 2020, BTC was valued at $15,579 per coin, and by Nov. 10, 2021, the price had nearly touched $69,000. Now, with just 65 days remaining until the next election, bitcoin closed out August at a price that is 8.6% lower than where it started the month.

Bitcoin Price Movements After Past U.S. Elections Have Shown Peaks Later On

Bitcoin (BTC) price movements have historically shown substantial increases after each U.S. presidential election. However, the peaks of each bull cycle occurred roughly a year later. To illustrate, during the U.S. election on Nov. 5, 2016, BTC was trading at $703 per coin. By the end of 2017, it surged close to $20,000. Similarly, on Nov. 5, 2020, BTC was valued at $15,579 per coin. By Nov. 10, 2021, the price had nearly touched $69,000.

This time around, bitcoin's price movements have been different. For instance, BTC achieved a lifetime high of over $73,700 per unit in March. Now, 65 days before the next election on Nov. 5, 2024, BTC’s value in U.S. dollars stands 21% lower than its all-time high. This deviation from past bull market/election cycles is noteworthy.

Examining the bitcoin price movements after the 2016 and 2020 elections, it's clear that BTC’s value experienced significant increases after each event. However, the peaks of each bull cycle occurred roughly a year later. In 2016, BTC's price peak came in December 2017, and in 2021, the price high was reached in November.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Movements After Past U.S. Elections Have Shown Peaks Later On

To further illustrate the price movements, during the U.S. election on Monday, Nov. 5, 2016, BTC was trading at $703 per coin. By December 24, 2017, bitcoin surged by over 2,700% from the election day price, reaching a high of $24,227 per unit. Moreover, on Nov. 5, 2020, BTC was valued at $15,579 per coin. By November 10, 2021, bitcoin’s price increased by over 340% from the election day price, reaching a peak of $68,685 per unit.

Stretching back to the 2013 bull run, on Nov. 5, 2012, BTC was trading at $10.80 per unit. By December 2013, the cryptocurrency’s value approached $1,250 per coin. While history may not repeat itself exactly, it often echoes familiar patterns, though the current bull run has a unique twist.

As covered by Bitcoin.com News in past reports, standard practice showed that BTC would surge from lows during the election period. However, this time around, BTC had already achieved a lifetime high of over $73,700 per unit in March. This deviation from past bull market/election cycles is noteworthy.

Sixty-five days before Nov. 5, 2024, BTC’s value in U.S. dollars stands 21% lower than its all-time high. This suggests that the election’s outcome could significantly impact BTC's value in dollars. Only time will reveal if history will follow a similar pattern to previous U.S. elections.

What do you think about the U.S. election moving bitcoin’s price this year? Do you think that it’s a possibility? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below.