Peter Schiff Declares Bitcoin’s Surge a “Bear Market Rally,” Crypto World Divided

October 07, 2025 at 18:19 PM EDT

October 7, 2025 – Veteran gold bug and perennial Bitcoin (BTC) skeptic Peter Schiff has once again ignited fierce debate within the cryptocurrency community, asserting that the recent impressive gains across the crypto market, including Bitcoin's climb to new all-time highs, are nothing more than a "bear market rally." His pronouncements, made as Bitcoin touched an unprecedented $126,000, have drawn a clear line in the sand, pitting traditional finance's old guard against the burgeoning digital asset ecosystem.

Schiff's persistent bearish outlook, particularly his insistence on Bitcoin's underperformance when priced in gold, has been a consistent theme throughout 2025. While Bitcoin has shown remarkable resilience and upward momentum, his claims have fueled discussions about the true nature of the current market cycle. For the crypto ecosystem, this debate is crucial, as it touches upon fundamental questions of value, market maturity, and Bitcoin's long-term viability as a store of value versus traditional assets.

Market Impact and Price Action

Peter Schiff's "bear market rally" declarations have often coincided with, or closely preceded, periods of significant price volatility for Bitcoin, though not always in the direction he predicted. For instance, on October 6, 2025, as Bitcoin set a new dollar high of $126,000, Schiff dismissed it as a temporary rebound, emphasizing that it was still approximately 15% below its record high when priced in gold, which was then trading above $4,000 per ounce. This perspective, however, overlooks the substantial dollar-denominated gains that have characterized much of 2025.

Earlier in the year, Schiff had pointed to Bitcoin's dips as evidence of his thesis. In May 2024, he noted Bitcoin was down 23% in dollars and 33% in gold terms, with the $60,000 level acting as resistance. By July 2024, he highlighted a drop to $53,550, a 27.5% decline from its record high in USD and a 38.5% drop in gold terms. Yet, despite these corrections, Bitcoin demonstrated strong recovery, reaching an all-time high of $123,800 by August 13, 2025, before a subsequent dip to $112,200 by September 22. These fluctuations, while significant, are often viewed by crypto proponents as normal market volatility within a broader bullish trend, rather than the hallmarks of a sustained bear market.

Trading volumes have remained robust during these periods, indicating strong market participation and liquidity, even during corrective phases. Technical analysis from the bullish camp frequently points to Bitcoin's formation of higher lows and its sustained position above key moving averages, suggesting a healthy consolidation within an ongoing bull market. In contrast, Schiff and his supporters, like analyst Stockmoney Lizards, have identified bearish patterns such as a "rising wedge," eyeing critical support levels like $112,000 and $110,000 as indicators of potential deeper declines. The market's ability to consistently recover from these levels, however, has often defied such bearish technical predictions, leading many to compare the current cycle to previous bull runs where significant corrections were followed by new highs.

Community and Ecosystem Response

The crypto community's response to Peter Schiff's pronouncements has been a predictable mix of amusement, frustration, and staunch defense of Bitcoin's fundamentals. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, Schiff's tweets are often met with a flurry of memes, counter-arguments, and historical charts illustrating Bitcoin's long-term outperformance. Many within the community view his consistent bearishness as a missed opportunity and a testament to his adherence to outdated financial paradigms.

Crypto influencers and thought leaders have been quick to challenge Schiff's narrative. Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), a company with significant Bitcoin holdings, has repeatedly dismissed Schiff's "apocalyptic" predictions, advocating for Bitcoin's role as a superior store of value. Max Keiser, another ardent Bitcoin evangelist, has openly mocked Schiff, labeling him the "WORST MONEY MANAGER EVER!" for his failure to recognize Bitcoin's potential at lower prices. Even traditional finance figures like billionaire investor Kevin O'Leary have weighed in, asserting that "#BITCOIN IS THE ONLY CRYPTO THAT BILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL BUY," highlighting its unique appeal.

Beyond social media, the broader crypto ecosystem continues to show signs of robust growth and adoption, seemingly unaffected by Schiff's bearish sentiment. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols are innovating, NFT projects are evolving, and Web3 applications are gaining traction. Record inflows into Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and dwindling Bitcoin reserves on exchanges underscore persistent institutional demand, suggesting a deeper market conviction that transcends short-term price fluctuations. This sustained institutional interest, coupled with growing retail ownership—with nearly 28% of American adults owning crypto in 2025—paints a picture of an asset class maturing and integrating into the global financial landscape, rather than merely experiencing a fleeting "bear market rally."

What's Next for Crypto

The debate surrounding Peter Schiff's "bear market rally" thesis has significant short and long-term implications for the crypto market. In the short term, Schiff's influential voice can contribute to market FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt), potentially triggering minor corrections or increasing volatility as some investors might heed his warnings. However, the prevailing sentiment among many analysts and market participants suggests that Bitcoin's upward trajectory is far from over. Analysts like Geoffrey Kendrick from Standard Chartered (LON: STAN) have predicted Bitcoin could quickly jump to $135,000 and achieve new all-time highs, driven by strong market fundamentals and institutional conviction. Michaël van de Poppe even forecasts Bitcoin soaring to $500,000 before a potential "crypto bubble" burst in 2025, implying the current market is still in its early stages of euphoria.

Long-term implications point towards a continued integration of Bitcoin into global finance. The increasing institutional adoption, the maturing regulatory landscape, and the potential for strategic government reserves (with proposals for the U.S. government to purchase millions of BTC) could further solidify Bitcoin's status as a national and global asset. The macroeconomic environment, characterized by persistent inflation and anticipated central bank rate cuts, is also expected to continue driving capital towards scarce assets like Bitcoin and gold, reinforcing Bitcoin's role as a hedge against fiat currency debasement.

For projects and investors, strategic considerations involve maintaining a long-term perspective, focusing on fundamental value, and understanding that market cycles are inherent to crypto. Potential catalysts to watch include further ETF approvals (e.g., Ethereum ETFs), clearer regulatory frameworks, technological advancements in scalability and security, and continued global adoption by both institutions and retail users. Possible scenarios range from a sustained bull run pushing Bitcoin to unprecedented highs, fueled by increasing demand and diminishing supply, to periods of consolidation and corrections that, while painful, are seen as healthy retests within a larger uptrend. The likelihood of a complete collapse, as often predicted by Schiff, appears increasingly remote given the asset's growing entrenchment and network effects.

Bottom Line

Peter Schiff's consistent bearish outlook on Bitcoin, framing its impressive gains as a "bear market rally," serves as a stark reminder of the fundamental divergence in perspectives between traditional financial thought and the rapidly evolving digital asset space. While his arguments often focus on Bitcoin's volatility and its performance relative to gold, the broader crypto market continues to demonstrate robust growth, driven by institutional adoption, technological innovation, and a strong belief in its long-term value proposition.

For crypto investors and enthusiasts, the key takeaway is the importance of a nuanced understanding of market dynamics. While corrections and volatility are inherent, Bitcoin's long-term performance trends, its increasing utility, and its growing integration into the global financial system paint a picture of an asset class with significant staying power. The debate with Schiff highlights Bitcoin's resilience and its ability to continually defy skepticism.

The long-term significance lies in Bitcoin's journey from a niche experiment to a formidable global financial asset. Its role as a decentralized, scarce, and censorship-resistant store of value continues to gain traction, challenging the dominance of traditional assets. As for crypto adoption, the trend is unequivocally upward, with growing numbers of individuals and institutions embracing digital assets. Investors should monitor key metrics such as institutional inflows, regulatory developments, network activity, and global macroeconomic indicators. The ongoing narrative around Bitcoin, even when challenged by figures like Schiff, ultimately contributes to its visibility and the ongoing education of the wider public about its potential.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk.

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Peter Schiff Declares Bitcoin’s Surge a “Bear Market Rally,” Crypto World Divided

Market Impact and Price Action

Community and Ecosystem Response

What's Next for Crypto

Bottom Line

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