Bitcoin and Ethereum Hit Two-Month Lows: Which Could Recover Faster By 2026 End?

• Bitcoin price fell to $73,708 while Ethereum dropped to $2,223, with both cryptocurrencies hitting two-month lows after the US midterms
• Citi’s Bitcoin forecast points to a potential 53.3% upside to $113,000, compared with Ethereum’s 36.2% upside to $3,028
• Bitcoin Ethereum ROI comparison shows BTC declining 0.85x against ETH’s 0.72x between January and November 2026, indicating stronger relative resilience for Bitcoin

The Bitcoin-Ethereum debate is now witnessing a new phase as both cryptocurrencies have hit new lows after the US midterm elections. Both assets have fallen to their lowest levels since August, with BTC touching the $73,708 mark, followed by Ethereum exploring the $2,223 price level. The primary contributors to this price fall can be attributed to regulatory and security concerns that have been hounding the crypto arena as of late. With both cryptocurrencies struggling to gain pace, out of two, which one can gain an upper hand before the end of 2026?

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Why Did Bitcoin and Ethereum Fall After the US Midterm Elections?

The latest decline in Bitcoin price and Ethereum price can be attributed to the latest regulatory concerns. Following the Democrats’ gains in the US midterm elections, investors believe that crypto may now experience some volatility as the party could push for stricter crypto regulation. The crypto market was already dealing with security concerns after a reported $6B theft at Binance. With the Democrats gaining control of both chambers, investors have now become wary of the digital asset arena.

As a result, the Bitcoin price fell to $73,708, marking a decline of more than 2%. The Ethereum price, on the other hand, noted a 5% fall, hitting $2,223 in the process. Both assets have now hit their lowest levels since August, showing how the selling pressure has impacted the broader crypto market.

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Bitcoin Price Forecast: Can BTC Recover First By The End Of 2026?

Bitcoin could have a relatively stronger chance to recover first, provided its institutional demand continues to gain the higher ground.

On Nov 4, Reuters reported how Bitcoin had briefly touched a six-week low before recovering to $78,354. The recovery came as broader market sentiment improved following the initial election-related uncertainty. Meanwhile, Binance experienced net withdrawals of $4.72B following the exchange’s reopening.

Citigroup’s October 1st Bitcoin forecast states that the bank has raised its 12-month BTC forecast to $113,000 from $82,000. The bank cited stronger crypto activity and potential ETF inflows as BTC’s primary drivers. Compared with the November 8 BTC price of $73,708, it represents an upside of 53.3%. However, this is a 12-month forecast rather than a specific December 2026 price target.

Can Ethereum Recover First?

The Ethereum price has lately been experiencing major volatility as compared to Bitcoin during the latest sell-off.

According to the MCO ROI Calculator, Bitcoin has recorded a 0.85x decrease in its value between January 1 and November 9, 2026, while Ethereum has experienced a steeper 0.72x decline during the same period. This means a hypothetical $1,000 investment in Bitcoin would now be worth approximately $850, compared to just $720 for Ethereum. The comparison highlights how Bitcoin has shown relatively stronger price resilience than Ethereum throughout 2026, despite both assets facing significant market pressure.

The Ethereum price has fallen by 5% to $2,223, making its recovery dependent on buying interest and improving market sentiment. Moreover, the Ethereum price still has potential growth drivers that could help fuel its growth. Ethereum has a prominent role in the stablecoin arena, with DeFi, stablecoin activity, and tokenization helping ETH gain a better price pace.

Citi Group has earlier raised the Ethereum price target from $2,240 to $3,028. From the November 8 price of $2,223, this level represents an upside of approximately 36.2%. This is also a 12-month price target rather than a guaranteed year-end valuation.

Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: Which Coin Can Jump First Before 2026?

Per CoinCodex’s latest Bitcoin stats, Bitcoin price may end the year by hitting $78,870 by December 31st, 2026. Compared with its November 8 price of $73,708, this represents a potential increase of approximately 7%.

At the same time, the Ethereum price may hit a new level of $2,176.74 by December 31st, 2026. Compared with its November 8 price of $2,223, this represents a potential decline of approximately 2.08%.

Per these algorithmic forecasts, Bitcoin might be the first coin to recover faster by the end of 2026. However, crypto markets are subject to intense volatility; hence, using discretion becomes imperative before making any investment-related decision.

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