Does sitting underwater change how you hold Bitcoin?

[tbct_mt2]

2025 buyers are apparently the only yearly BTC group still underwater, with an average cost around $88k. btc got close to that level and then dropped back below $84k.

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

Holding is for investors, especially if you talk about holding proactively with well plans.

People who are investors and have well plans for their investment and holding actually do enough search about Bitcoin, Bitcoin market, price cycle, psychological cycle and they do know what to do. They did not plan to hold bitcoin only some months within a year or two years like including bearish years in a market cycle. Their investment and holding plans are longer and they will not have question like you raised in this topic.

This question is like a challenge for traders, speculators who are amateur and don't know what to do during worst months of the market. Or they can manage to hold during worst months but can not hold till a next market cycle and bull run. After months with massive stress and pressure, when Bitcoin recovers considerably from bear market bottom, they will exit and accept some kind of loss.

[Ahli38]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

In that case there’s no point in investing if there’s no profit to be made. I personally think that if we truly plan to hold Bitcoin for the long term then we shouldn’t sell it when we’re at a loss or even before we’ve made a profit. We can wait until Bitcoin rises again so we can realize a profit. On the other hand there’s still the next halving event, where it has the potential to drive up Bitcoin’s price. And I think given Bitcoin’s current price level now is a good time to enter the market by buying it. I’m confident that many large investors or even the smart money have been accumulating Bitcoin from yesterday’s low all the way up to the current price. It’s best to wait patiently until the profit can be realized.

[YOSHIE]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

That's what people always advise when you want to start investing in Bitcoin, it is highly recommended to use cold money, This means that the money that is put in for investment is not the money that is used for daily living needs or the money that is used for other purposes, that is the reason for all of that when a situation like the one you say occurs.

After you focus on the money you use to invest in Bitcoin, then you are ready to face the consequences and risks of long-term investment, for the next few years, this is to overcome users not panic when buying at $80k and the market goes down, when you focus on the long-term stagelong, You remain optimistic that in the next few years the price of Bitcoin can rise to a level above $80k. The initial capital increases the price of Bitcoin to the level of $150k, clearly you are indicating that you will become a billionaire.

[Hatchy]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

It's a very poor mindset that many investors have. I accumulated a lot of Bitcoin during the dips before we reached a new ATH, and I also accumulated more during the period last year when the price stayed stuck for a long time before finally breaking out. I can't say whether I'm currently in profit or loss because I still have a lot of my investment underwater, but that is not a good enough reason for me to sell when the price starts getting back to my buying price. Many investors panic too much when the price moves against them, and that often leads them to make decisions that hurt their investments in the long run.

Selling at a loss doesn't make you profitable, it only locks in the loss. I would rather watch the price dump further than sell my coins at a loss.

[pawanjain]

saw this today https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/10/07/bitcoin-s-recovery-stalls-just-short-of-rescuing-its-last-underwater-cohort and kinda liked the angle more than the price itself.

2025 buyers are apparently the only yearly BTC group still underwater, with an average cost around $88k. btc got close to that level and then dropped back below $84k.

and idk, it made me think... after sitting in red for that long, do you still see your entry price as the place to finally sell? some probably just want their money back and move on. but I guess others spend so long holding that by the time break-even comes, selling there doesn't even feel that important anymore 😄

kinda feels like being underwater for months can change the holder too, not just portfolio.

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

Whatever we think now or plan ahead for the future won't really matter until the time comes and we decide what we actually want to do.
For example, we might think that once bitcoin crosses $100k I will keep holding until bitcoin hits another ATH but when the time actually comes and we see a lot of FUD in the market seeing bitcoin drop below $100k again, we might actually sell our holdings at that time.
Similarly we might think we will sell at a certain price but when bitcoin is pumping the greed takes over and we just keep holding.
So the thing is, it depends from person to person on how one holds their bitcoin and what they actually do with it.

[Z-tight]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

This would depend on the investor and a couple of other factors. Are they weak hands. Did they buy their very first sats at that price, or did they just add to what they already had. And lastly, how do they view BTC, either as a get rich quick scheme or something for the long term.

I'm sure a lot of people would sell if they are weak hands who bought their very first sats at that high price. It is not news that a lot of people buy BTC with the idea that they are about to be rich in a few weeks, lol. I have always said what i think about BTC in this forum, so it is obvious what i'll do, i have plans to hold BTC for the very long term and i don't set any selling target.

[tbct_mt2]

This would depend on the investor and a couple of other factors. Are they weak hands, did they buy theur very first sats at that price, or did they just add to what they already had at that price and how do they view BTC, a get rich quick scheme or something for the long term.

It's easy to have weak hands, like ignore doing research about Bitcoin and market, what to do for investment, and simply buy bitcoin because someone else do that, someone shill that Bitcoin will make people get richer, become millionaire or billionaire, buy with FOMO then when such bullish time goes away, people will stuck in uncertain phases and panic sell.

To have strong hands, people must have solid foundations before investment by doing these things mentioned above. Doing these steps, they already have very solid foundation for investment practice, then having strong hands is like guaranteed but surely they will need to self experience the market to strengthen their psychology over time.

Psychological pitfalls of market cycle.

[Cookdata]

and idk, it made me think... after sitting in red for that long, do you still see your entry price as the place to finally sell? some probably just want their money back and move on. but I guess others spend so long holding that by the time break-even comes, selling there doesn't even feel that important anymore 😄

kinda feels like being underwater for months can change the holder too, not just portfolio.

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

I don't know how best to fit this but if I feel only a psychic person will watch Bitcoin pump from $30k upto $125k and watch it down to $88k and will think that's the right time to buy Bitcoin and will sell back when the price get to another high without plans for long term. It doesn't make sense in anyway but if there is anyone with such investment mentality or probably did that and waiting to get their money and move on can not make money from anywhere.

Bitcoin is one of the shortest with moderate risk investment, you can hold Bitcoin for 5 years and get your money back in many return or long term. If you compare such performance with other investments, it will take nothing less than 10 years or more before you make a good return on your investment. You know what's terrible about other investments? You are not guaranteed to get your investment back nor profit. If you want to confirm, check NIKE chart, you will appreciate me.

[Junii]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

Bro a person only take a loss when he/she sell there coins if they still have coins whether in red or green the result is not confirmed yet. Also you are saying 88k is the break even of majority people but as an investor i believe always buy bitcoin with a discretionary income and then a DCA( dollar Cost averaging) is the simple strategy most of investors are following this because it does not stuck your entry at one point when a person buying it consistently for a period of time when the price fell it benefit them because they buy more at discounted price which also favor there entry point. Also for me holding is the best option and buying at a good price is a cherry on the top.

[Muba20]

2025 buyers are apparently the only yearly BTC group still underwater, with an average cost around $88k. btc got close to that level and then dropped back below $84k.

and idk, it made me think... after sitting in red for that long, do you still see your entry price as the place to finally sell? some probably just want their money back and move on. but I guess others spend so long holding that by the time break-even comes, selling there doesn't even feel that important anymore

Before investing in Bitcoin, an investor should have some ideas. It is not that a person will benefit only by investing here. An investor should know whether he can hold his Bitcoin for a long time after investing or whether he has the mental strength to accept the risks.

If an investor invests in Bitcoin and it goes into a long bearish and comes back at a certain point, then if the investor thinks that he should sell it now, then he will definitely lose because in the case of Bitcoin, after a bearish period, a bullish movement starts. And in every bullish movement, Bitcoin touches a new all-time high. As long as Bitcoin is not sold after buying it, I think it is not a loss. But those who panic and sell in the hope of recovering their losses quickly face losses later.

If every investor has a long-term goal before investing, then he must refrain from FOMO and panic selling. Just as one should not be happy whenever the price of Bitcoin increases, it is wise to remain steadfast in one's goal without getting panicked even if the price falls. To achieve success in investing in Bitcoin, one should not only prioritize the price but also how to keep oneself in line with the goal during those ups and downs.

[Hyphen(-)]

and idk, it made me think... after sitting in red for that long, do you still see your entry price as the place to finally sell? some probably just want their money back and move on. but I guess others spend so long holding that by the time break-even comes, selling there doesn't even feel that important anymore 😄

kinda feels like being underwater for months can change the holder too, not just portfolio.

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

Bitcoin investment is not by force, it is only encouraged to save our money from third patties it is not something you will just buy and expect the price to go high immediately, it is not controlled by any human or any institution, that is why patience is needed.

Some investors bought around $90k and they are at loss, while some bought at a very low price and they are now in profit. If they can’t wait more for the price to go up, selling at their buying price can be fine for them if they wish, but if they can hold it for long, they will make profit for sure. One year is not long to make profit because this is bear market, but another turn can happen in the market anytime, it can be their luckiest time to get their money bank.

[Floxynice]

One of the possible reasons that will make anyone think of selling at their entry price is if they already had an expectation for the bitcoin investment, especially  if there is a price target or spcific exit date given. If they already had plans of withdrawing it that year, but suddenly the bitcoin price wasn't trading at the price they had expected it to be. Such expectations can make them see their entry price as an opportunity to sell to avoid losing more. But that's a total waste of time.

Investing in bitcoin should never be with money you have short-term expectations for. Just as OP has described, it leads you to panic and make unfavourable decisions. Any good investor is not supposed to panic in situations like this, but HODL until their investment yields a desirable profit.

I will not sell at my entry price; that move is a total waste of my time investing in bitcoin.

[Yorubek]

OP you may have forgotten, Bitcoin is volatile, its price will above or fall again, this is a natural process of Bitcoin, I don't think it's surprising.

Bitcoin is a long-term investment, so if you are investing in the hope of making quick money, the above or fall of Bitcoin will affect you. However, investors who have specific knowledge about Bitcoin must have invested with a long-term plan. They do not get disappointed quickly by seeing market volatility. They see market volatility as a new opportunity for investment. Therefore, they invest more according to their ability. They know that the price of Bitcoin will not always be fall but will gradually above.

Therefore, they do not miss any opportunity, and wait for Bitcoin ATH with confidence and patience. As a result of Bitcoin investment, some investors may be disappointed in the middle and lose confidence. This is right, but those who do not lose confidence quickly and stick to it until the end can reach specific goal through investment.

[Renampun]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

I guess there's no reason to sell it, unless you really need money.. but if the focus is on long-term investment, then holding on is a much better choice.. Simply put, if you're investing for the long term, your focus is on the long term, whether that's 4 more years or more until you really start making a profit from your investment. If you stop at that point by selling, I think it would just be a waste of time even though you don't technically lose anything, but still, you wouldn't gain anything either.

[Fiatless]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

It doesn't make sense and it would have being preferable the buyer never bought at all. how do i buy at $88k just to spend time risk_holding it to later sell back at my entry price. only one explanation could make sense in that, which is, perhaps, i only bought just to sustain the value of my funds due to how it can really lose purchasing power for that long time due to rising prices from inflation effect if kept in fiat.

Buying Bitcoin and selling at the same price doesn't shield your funds against inflation. The reason why Bitcoin and other assets are seen as a hedge against inflation is that their value appreciates. So, as fiat loses value, the profit from these assets covers the losses.

OP, why would I want to sell my coin at the price I bought it for after spending money on wallets, transaction fees, and so on? It would make sense to sell off if you have a problem that exceeds your emergency funds. Or if you want to invest in something more profitable. Changes in government polices could also be another reason.

[BALIK]

2025 buyers are apparently the only yearly BTC group still underwater, with an average cost around $88k. btc got close to that level and then dropped back below $84k.

and idk, it made me think... after sitting in red for that long, do you still see your entry price as the place to finally sell? some probably just want their money back and move on. but I guess others spend so long holding that by the time break-even comes, selling there doesn't even feel that important anymore 😄

kinda feels like being underwater for months can change the holder too, not just portfolio.

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

This is exactly where concept of psychological resistance come into play. When any specific cohort of investor is sitting on loss, two type of psychological reaction kick in once price reach break-even point.

After enduring loss for so long, seeing portfolio turn green or hit break-even trigger Thank goodness I got my principal back. Let me just get out of this market and save myself kind of feeling.
This sell pressure is primary reason for repeated rejection near $88k mark.

On the other hand, for those who have endured loss for month or even year their pain tolerance reaches whole new level. Since I’ve already endured so much hardship, why would I sell just to break even? I’m not getting out without ROI

[Zoomic]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

You mean if bitcoin fall from $88000 back to $84000 just as it fall even to $83000 now, or maybe it will fall more than that? I did not buy bitcoin to be panic and sell at a lower price. Even if bitcoin fall more and get to $70000 or below, I am not planning to sell. I know how bitcoin can be, so I know selling is a wrong decision right now. I will prefer to buy more bitcoin at a lower price instead.

What you said is true. That's why we always preach that one should know why they're buying before putting their money on Bitcoin. People who are shaked by short-term market swings are the ones that entered the market because they saw Bitcoin was pumping and decide to join the trend.

Bitcoin isn't a get-rich-quick asset, you have to have the long-term mindset strategy to not be disturbed by short-term market dips which will make you worry and sometimes sell below your entry point.

[Orpichukwu]

It doesn't make sense and it would have being preferable the buyer never bought at all. how do i buy at $88k just to spend time risk_holding it to later sell back at my entry price. only one explanation could make sense in that, which is, perhaps, i only bought just to sustain the value of my funds due to how it can really lose purchasing power for that long time due to rising prices from inflation effect if kept in fiat.

Even in the explanation you give, there is no guarantee that the money will remain in the same purchasing power for that long. USD, which is what Bitcoin value is being calculated on, also still loses purchasing power; it has been dropping for years now, just like other fiat. It might appear strong over some local currency, but if you basically calculate the changes between them, you can see there is not much difference, so the best way is to hold for long and make sure there is a profile added to the capital enough to compensate the holder for all the time spent in holding.

[mirakal]

if you bought around 88k and finally got back there, would you still think “ok, I'm out” or would you probably just keep holding by then?

If I'll say I'm out, will it be profitable for me? So I don't think that would be the best option.

I will just keep holding on. This is the reason why we should not enter the market unprepared. Not just in terms of finances, but also emotional and psychological. If you know the essence why patience and understanding are a must, then you should know also why you don't have to sell in panic but sell when the right timing to sell and be in profits.

[HajiBagi]

That's why people say don't focus on price but plan for long term hodl. If you plan like this you will not succeed. It is always better to plan long term and this is the right way. Now if someone buys $88k then why would they sell when it reaches $84k? If they panic like this then I think they didn't have a long term plan.

Personally I don't plan like this, and if I buy $88k then if the price drops and it goes back to $88k then what will be the profit if I sell? Of course I will hold till the bull run comes and continue more DCA along with it.

People with that mind of selling because they buys $88k and want to sell $84k because the price that is going down do not have a good plan, in fact, they should not invest in bitcoin from the beginning, it will be the best thing, because what is the extent of buying bitcoin 88k and sell 84k? That does not make sense, and that shows that the person can not hold for a long term and the person invest in bitcoin to make a quick profit, when the price drops, we should not be panic, because that is what some investors want, because they want the price to drop and invest more.

One thing that those who panic to sell don’t understand is that they will not make any profit by selling their bitcoin, they will lose some money in the process of selling, because they sell lower than what they invest, holding for long term should always be an investor plan if not he should not think about investing in bitcoin from the beginning.