In a bold prediction, trader Peter Brandt has named Bitcoin Cash (BCH) as a likely leader for a cryptocurrency rally in 2026. The coin has demonstrated remarkable resilience, hovering around the $600 mark for several weeks despite general market weakness.
Brandt, a trader noted for his application of traditional analysis techniques, pointed to BCH”s recent performance as a sign of potential strength. This assertion comes on the heels of a year where many altcoins struggled, leaving BCH largely overlooked. However, it has shown a capacity for short-term gains with several notable rallies.
As of early January 2026, BCH was trading at $650.55, marking a significant breakout after being confined to the $600 range. The coin is also nearing its one-year high, sitting at 0.0070 BTC. Despite being sidelined in recent times, BCH has quietly rallied, even achieving a peak in September 2025.
The recent breakout has resulted in BCH maintaining a high open interest, exceeding $434 million, which is near the top range seen over the past year. Although traders are exercising caution, approximately 55% of positions remain long, indicating a degree of optimism.
Currently, BCH”s mindshare has reached 0.1, reflecting a 131% increase in visibility over the past day. This resurgence is notable as it approaches levels witnessed during the 2021 bull market. However, it is essential to remember that BCH has yet to recover its all-time peak of nearly $3,200, which occurred following the hard fork in 2018.
While the recovery of BCH is not unprecedented, analysts suggest that it could aim for the 2021 local peak of $1,450. Recent price movements suggest BCH is rebounding from all-time lows in terms of market dominance, having previously dropped to $275 in April 2025.
Despite recent gains, BCH has struggled to push past the $800 resistance level for the past three years. The current ascent faces a sell wall extending to $740, and a recent liquidation heatmap indicates that short positions are prevalent up to $690.
Mining activity for BCH remains active, currently at 8 EH/s, and mining profitability is slightly higher than that of Bitcoin. On average, BCH yields $0.041 per day, compared to Bitcoin”s $0.039. As BCH”s valuation increases, this could further incentivize mining activities.
Even as the altcoin season index dipped to 26 points, signaling a preference for Bitcoin, BCH has still managed to secure a position among the top 10 coins with the most significant gains over the past three months. While there is no definitive narrative surrounding BCH, traders appear willing to take risks in the current market climate.
