Bitcoin is on track for its second-best third quarter in CoinGlass data, gaining roughly 43.5% during Q3 2026 and trailing only the 80.41% advance recorded in 2017. The rally followed losses of 22.2% in the first quarter and 14.09% in the second, snapping a two-quarter losing streak. Bitcoin was changing hands at roughly $84,800, according to CoinGecko, after trading at $84,626.50 in an earlier Sunday snapshot. CoinGlass data shows that only eight of the 14 Q3 periods displayed were positive, with an average return of 8.73% and a median of 2.29%. Q4 has historically been much stronger, posting an average return of 77.07% and a median of 47.73%, although losses have also occurred. Ether gained roughly 71% during the quarter and was on course for its strongest Q3 on record. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $2.4 billion last week, while Bitcoin absorbed a large quarterly options expiry without a major disruption. Institutional adoption and security remained in focus after Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor called for expanded bank custody and crypto-backed lending, and Bitget said its protection fund would cover losses from a $387.5 million hack without affecting customer balances.