Levi Rietveld says Bitcoin could dip below $60,000, warns XRP and XLM may follow

Levi Rietveld has argued that recurring market-cycle patterns in Bitcoin could offer investors a brief chance to buy the leading cryptocurrency below $60,000. Rietveld stated that XRP and Stellar (XLM) may follow Bitcoin’s overall market direction if another downturn occurs.

Market cycles and historical comparisons

Rietveld highlighted that Bitcoin’s price tends to move through fairly regular bull and bear cycles, which often align with its halving events. Drawing on years of market observation, he pointed to the consistency of these patterns over successive cycles.

He underlined that his perspective was shaped over “four whole years” of waiting for the data to support a meaningful historical comparison. Rietveld does not attempt to predict specific price targets for XRP, instead emphasizing the strong influence of Bitcoin on the trajectory of major altcoins.

A featured infographic illustrated the duration of past Bitcoin cycles, with bull markets lasting approximately eight, 24, and 35 months, followed by bear markets of five, 14, and 12 months. This analysis suggests a rhythm to Bitcoin’s expansions and contractions.

Rietveld focused on the most recent cycle, which saw a 35-month period of growth followed by a 12-month decline. According to his assessment, the current cooling phase for Bitcoin is about 10 months in, indicating that any further weakness may be relatively brief if the historical pattern repeats.

Rietveld remarked, “Everything moves around Bitcoin,” arguing that the leading crypto asset typically sets the tone for the broader digital asset market, both upward and downward.

This approach reflects a long-standing market dynamic, where altcoins may outperform in risk-on environments but often underperform when Bitcoin sentiment turns cautious.

Differences in altcoin cycles

Although Bitcoin cycles tend to show clear timing, Rietveld noted that XRP displayed a less regular pattern in past cycles. He referenced a prolonged XRP bear market from January 2018 to December 2020, followed by a relatively short-lived rally that ended in 2021.

Rietveld clarified that he does not believe XRP mirrors Bitcoin’s cycle timings exactly. However, he argued that a Bitcoin-led decline generally weighs on major altcoins like XRP and XLM, regardless of token-specific developments.

Stellar (XLM), like XRP, is a blockchain platform focused on fast and low-cost cross-border payments. Both projects often react to broad changes in crypto sentiment, particularly during major Bitcoin moves.

Mini dictionary: Stellar (XLM) is an open-source blockchain payment protocol designed to facilitate fast, low-cost international transactions, often used to connect financial institutions, payment systems, and individuals across borders.

Cautious approach and market outlook

Rietveld repeatedly underscored that “nothing is guaranteed in investing.” He indicated that he plans to act if Bitcoin’s price again drops below $60,000, based solely on analysis of previous market cycles rather than specific macroeconomic models or catalysts.

While historic cycle patterns may inform market context, Rietveld acknowledged that institutional involvement, regulatory changes, shifting interest rates, and evolving market structures could significantly alter how future cycles unfold.

He cautioned that cycle durations provide only limited guidance, and the next Bitcoin downturn could differ substantially from those observed in the past.