I discovered something interesting while studying market cycles — there is an ancient framework that still works surprisingly well today, and few people know about it.

Let's talk about Samuel Benner. He wasn't an academic economist; he was an American farmer from the 1800s who spent years trying to understand why markets crashed and recovered with an almost predictable rhythm. He burned through capital, rebuilt, and burned again. Eventually, he decided to analyze these recurring cycles in depth.

In 1875, he published "Benner's Prophecies of Future Ups and Downs in Prices," and what he found is fascinating: markets follow cyclical patterns that repeat every 18-20 years. Samuel Benner identified three types of recurring years — years of economic panic, peak years for selling, and minimum years for buying.

The model is simple but effective. 'A' years are those when panic hits the markets (1927, 1945, 1965, 1981, 1999, 2019, and now 2035 according to the cycle). 'B' years are the peaks when prices are inflated and it’s advisable to exit (1926, 1945, 1962, 1980, 2007, 2026). 'C' years are the lows when accumulating assets is wise (1931, 1942, 1958, 1985, 2012).

What strikes me is that Benner’s cycle still works today, even in modern markets. The crypto correction of 2019? It fits perfectly into the panic prediction. And 2026, according to the framework, should be a peak year — an interesting point to consider as markets move.

For those trading Bitcoin and Ethereum, this framework offers a very useful long-term perspective. Bitcoin itself has four-year halving cycles that create booms and corrections — it’s human behavior repeating itself. Euphoria, panic, euphoria, panic.

The value of Benner’s cycle is that it helps you read these emotional extremes. During bull markets, you can use the peaks to strategically exit and lock in profits. During downturns, you can accumulate assets at low prices, knowing the cycle will repeat.

The fundamental lesson is that market cycles are not random — they follow patterns rooted in human behavior and economic factors. Samuel Benner taught us this nearly 150 years ago, and modern traders would do well to pay attention. Whether you're looking at stocks, commodities, or crypto, this framework provides a map to anticipate movements. It’s not perfect, but it’s remarkably useful for those patient enough to think long-term.