Crypto investors had hoped that increased institutional adoption and a friendly administration in Washington could help bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, break free from the boom-bust cycles that have plagued it for much of its existence. But bitcoin's performance during the first half of 2026 has defied those expectations. The cryptocurrency has fallen into a deep drawdown, recently trading at less then half of its peak near $126,273 reached in October. Since the start of the year, bitcoin (BTCUSD) has fallen by 33%, to about $58,647 on Tuesday, putting it on track for its worst first half of a year since ... (full story)