Bitcoin Declared Dead 477 Times: CZ Says This Was Always the Best Time to Buy
October 25, 2026
Bitcoin has been declared dead by analysts, media, and experts a total of 477 times — yet the cryptocurrency continues to exist and is currently trading at around 81,000 US dollars. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) sees a clear pattern in this: those who bought during such phases of panic made the best long-term decisions.
In a widely noticed post on X, Changpeng Zhao wrote: Bitcoin is dead was said many, many times before. Those were also the best times to buy bitcoin.
The statement describes a historically verifiable pattern. Whenever negative headlines weighed on the price and media announced the demise of the cryptocurrency, a recovery followed in the long term. For contrarian investors, such phases of maximum fear are traditionally the most interesting entry points — even if short-term losses can remain painful.
According to the Bitcoin Obituaries tracker, a total of 477 death notices were counted from the launch of the cryptocurrency until the end of 2024. The reasons were always similar: regulatory pressure, market collapses, technical weakness, or allegations of being a Ponzi scheme.
| Period | Trigger of the Death Notice | Subsequent Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | First major crash, price collapses | Recovery, new all-time high 2013 |
| 2017–2018 | Speculative bubble bursts, sharp decline | New all-time high 2020 |
| 2022 | FTX collapse, price falls to 16,000 US dollars | Recovery above 80,000 US dollars by 2026 |
| 2026 | Interest rate hike concerns, oil price increase | 80,000 USD mark holds so far |
Each of these phases was accompanied by widespread skepticism — and each time the price recovered beyond previous highs. This historical pattern is CZ's core argument.
Bitcoin is currently trading at around 81,000 US dollars. Compared to the monthly high of around 86,000 US dollars, this is a decline of about five percent. The central technical level is at 80,000 US dollars — an area that many analysts classify as an important support zone.
| Price Level | Level (USD) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly high October 2026 | 86,000 | Resistance to the upside |
| Current price | 81,000 | Current trading range |
| Critical support | 80,000 | Support line — a break could trigger further losses |
The price is currently weighed down by speculation about further interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) as well as rising oil prices. Both increase inflation expectations and make low-risk bonds more attractive — a classic environment in which risky assets like Bitcoin come under pressure.
Shortly before CZ published his statement, well-known gold bull and Bitcoin skeptic Peter Schiff tweeted on X on October 24:
Bitcoin is finally breaking down. It's hard to believe it's held up this long. Now that it's below 0K, the next stop is likely 5K. If that level fails to hold today, it's going to be a very long weekend for Bitcoiners, especially for ETF investors who can't sell until Monday. — Peter Schiff, October 24, 2026
Schiff's forecast: Next support at 75,000 US dollars — if it breaks, a painful weekend looms, especially for ETF investors who cannot sell immediately. An assessment that caters exactly to what CZ has historically identified as the best buying opportunity: maximum fear, prominent pessimists, broad negative sentiment.
Schiff is no stranger to this role. He has been regularly declaring Bitcoin dead or worthless for over a decade — making him one of the most frequently cited Bitcoin skeptics. Investors who bought during previous Schiff warnings have, in most cases, fared well in the long term.
CZ has publicly described several times how he handles bear markets himself: he buys and holds, even during long dry spells. He even admitted to having bought at the beginning of a bear market and being unable to buy more at the later low — an honesty that has earned him a lot of credibility in the crypto community.
In the long term, CZ sees a target price of 1,000,000 US dollars for Bitcoin — a value he believes is achievable much faster than most expect. This assessment is based on the thesis of a further increasing institutional influx and growing global demand.
Those interested in Bitcoin investments can find further market analyses in our article about the Bitcoin slump of October 2026.
| Scenario | Requirement | Possible Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery | Stabilization above 81,000 USD, easing interest rate momentum | 86,000–90,000 |
| Sideways | Fed uncertainty persists, no catalyst | 78,000–84,000 |
| Pullback | Break below 80,000 USD, follow-up selling | 72,000–77,000 |
Because historically, every phase of extreme negative sentiment coincided with a later all-time high. The statement is not an investment mandate but describes a historically recurring pattern.
According to various trackers, at least 477 times by the end of 2024 — in 2026 alone, 21 more death notices were added, so the total number continues to rise.
The area around 80,000 US dollars is considered an important technical support in October 2026. A sustained break below it would cloud the technical outlook.
This depends on individual risk tolerance and the investment horizon. CZ's historical observation is not an investment mandate. Long-term oriented investors see pullbacks from a different perspective than someone with a short time horizon.
Risk Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrencies are subject to high volatility. Investments can lead to a total loss of capital. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
