Is Now a Good Time to Buy Crypto, or Should You Wait?
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
As Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) have all surged between 44% and 71% over the past three months, many investors are wondering if now is the right time to dive into the crypto market or if it’s better to hold off.
Despite these sharp gains, these coins are still trading 34% to 60% below their all-time highs, raising the crucial question: Is now a good time to buy crypto, or should you wait for a better opportunity?
The total market value of cryptocurrencies dropped about 3% to $2.88 trillion on September 28, 2026, while trading volume more than doubled. This decline came just 12 days after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana Still Trade 34% to 60% Below Their Records
Here’s how some major cryptocurrencies compare:
| Coin | Current Price | 90-Day Change | 2026 Change | 1-Year Change | Below All-Time High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $83,355 | +44% | -3.5% | -25% | -34% |
| Ethereum | $2,674 | +71% | -9.5% | -35% | -46% |
| XRP | $1.49 | +46% | -18% | -47% | -59% |
| Solana | $118 | +67% | -1.6% | -42% | -60% |
Currently, Bitcoin is trading 34% below its record high of $126,080. Similarly, XRP and Solana are about 60% below their peaks. This means anyone buying now can acquire these coins at a much lower price than those who bought at the top.
The recent rebound indicates that buyers are returning with renewed confidence. In particular, Ethereum and Solana have seen much larger price increases than Bitcoin over the past three months, which may suggest traders are more willing to invest in smaller coins. Additionally, major funds have resumed activity, with Bitcoin ETFs attracting $2.3 billion in just four days in September.
However, caution remains warranted. Bitcoin still makes up 58.3% of the entire crypto market, and its significant discount from its all-time high does not guarantee a stable price floor.
A 5.17% Treasury Yield Makes Waiting Pay
On September 16, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Higher interest rates make cash and bonds more attractive, putting pressure on cryptocurrencies that do not offer interest. Traders are also bracing for more rate hikes, with the CME FedWatch tool showing a 64% chance of another increase at the upcoming meeting at the end of October.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasuries offer a known return: the 10-year Treasury yielded 5.17% and the 2-year 4.81% as of September 25. Waiting to invest in crypto lets investors earn these yields, which adds to the appeal of staying out of the crypto market for now.
The September 28 Selloff Shows Why Timing the Bottom Is Hard
The trading volume, which reflects the total dollar amount of cryptocurrencies being traded, can indicate market sentiment. On the day the market dropped 3%, volume surged 125%, suggesting many holders sold their assets quickly.
This spike in trading volume points to possible forced selling. Many crypto traders borrow money to increase their investments, and when prices fall significantly, exchanges may liquidate those positions to cover the loans. Each forced sale can drive prices down further, leading to a downward spiral. While we don’t yet have the complete liquidation data for the recent selloff, it appears to be a plausible explanation for the sudden downturn.
Using forced selling as a timing signal can be risky. It might lead to a sharp decline until all borrowed positions are closed, or it could linger in waves, creating an unstable market. Therefore, Bitcoin could either drop to lower prices before the next Fed meeting or continue its climb.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy Crypto?
The best answer depends on your financial needs. If you need cash within the next two years, you could earn a guaranteed 4.81% by investing in 2-year Treasuries while the Fed continues to raise rates.
However, if you can weather potential dips in the crypto market, you might find value in buying these four coins at 34% to 60% below their peaks. Buying in stages over several months can help ease the pressure of timing the market perfectly.
For those caught between these options, two indicators could help tip the scales. First, if Bitcoin climbs back above approximately $86,370—a 3.5% increase—it could turn positive for 2026. Second, a significant market uptick paired with high trading volume could signal that buyers, not forced sellers, are driving momentum. Until then, waiting may still yield about 5% while the market seeks its direction, and jumping in now could expose you to the risk of another downturn.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Sam Daodu is a crypto analyst and the editor of 24/7 Wall St.'s Crypto Desk, where he covers Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, Solana and the altcoins investors search for most. His work focuses on price levels, spot ETF flows, on-chain data and the regulatory decisions that move crypto markets, written so a first-time buyer and a seasoned trader can both use it.
Sam has written about crypto professionally since 2019 and has published more than 2,000 articles. Before joining 24/7 Wall St., he wrote for crypto media outlets and Web3 companies and ghostwrote for crypto founders and token launches. His analysis is syndicated on Yahoo Finance, MSN and AOL and has been cited by other crypto news sites. He also founded MacLabs Marketing, a content and personal branding agency for crypto founders and executives.
When he isn't reading charts, Sam is usually at the gym or watching One Piece, a series he maintains has better tokenomics than most altcoins.
