Is Now a Good Time to Buy Crypto, or Should You Wait?
Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana have all surged dramatically in recent months, yet each coin still sits far below its all-time peak, creating a tension between opportunity and risk that every investor right now must navigate carefully.
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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.
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Sam Daodu is a crypto analyst who's spent nearly a decade making blockchain understandable—no easy task when most whitepapers read like fever dreams. He writes for 24/7 Wall St., covering Bitcoin, altcoins, and crypto market analysis for investors. Before crypto, he was a tech writer (back when explaining "the cloud" was peak innovation). Since 2018, he's written for CoinTelegraph, Yahoo Finance, The Block, Cryptonews, Zypto, Rain, and more—basically anywhere people want crypto news without the headache. Sam runs MacLabs Marketing, a content agency for crypto brands tired of sounding like AI wrote their website. He also publishes free crypto education on his site for Web3 enthusiasts who think "gas fees" is a typo. When he's not writing or staring at charts, Sam's either: - Watching anime (currently convinced One Piece has better tokenomics than most altcoins) - At the gym sculpting himself into a Greek god - Listening to the music your mum warned you only bad boys listen to Connect: LinkedIn | Email | MacLabs Marketing
