I discovered something interesting while studying market cycles. Many traders are unaware of the Benner cycle, yet it could really explain a lot about how markets move, from stocks to cryptocurrencies.

It all started with Samuel Benner, an American farmer from the 1800s who wasn't even a professional economist. But here’s the interesting part: after losing everything in economic crises and crop failures, he began looking for patterns in the markets. He noticed that the same panic and prosperity cycles repeated with a certain regularity. In 1875, he published his findings in a book dedicated to this very topic.

The Benner cycle is divided into three main phases. Years A are the financial panic years, when markets crash. Benner identified them every 18-20 years: 1927, 1945, 1965, 1981, 1999, 2019... and according to his model, the next would be 2035. Then there are Years B, the market peaks where everything seems perfect and prices are inflated. This is when it’s best to sell. Finally, Years C are the lows where you can accumulate assets at low prices.

What’s interesting? 2019 saw a significant correction in both traditional markets and cryptocurrencies, exactly as the Benner cycle predicted. And what about 2026? We are already in the year that the model indicated as a period of recovery and cyclical rebounds. Of course, it’s not a guarantee, but it’s hard to ignore the coincidence.

For those of us operating in crypto, this is especially relevant. Bitcoin has its halving cycle every four years that creates booms and corrections, but the Benner cycle works on an even larger scale. During bullish markets like the ones expected in 2026, you can take profits at the peaks. When lows arrive, it’s the time to accumulate Ethereum, Bitcoin, or any asset you believe in.

The beauty of this framework is that it’s not as complicated as other economic models. Benner observed that markets follow human psychology: euphoria, panic, fear, greed. These emotional cycles have been repeating forever. If you understand when they occur, you can navigate the market much better.

I’m not saying to blindly follow the Benner cycle, but combining it with technical analysis and good risk management could really make the difference between those who profit and those who get burned in cryptocurrencies. It’s worth at least studying the concept.