As an analyst with over two decades of experience in both traditional finance and the burgeoning cryptocurrency market, I’ve witnessed countless trends and transformations that have shaped our financial landscape. The recent crossing of Bitcoin above $100,000 is undeniably one of those significant milestones that signify the digital asset’s growing maturity and acceptance.


For the first time, Bitcoin has crossed the $100,000 mark after struggling for two weeks due to significant profit-taking. Institutional demand has played a key role in driving the market’s momentum and subsequently helping the world’s largest cryptocurrency to hit the milestone.

Based on information from CryptoQuant, there was a surge in the Coinbase Premium Index, indicating that U.S. investors are maintaining strong demand or buying pressure for cryptocurrencies.

The price difference suggests that Bitcoin is being bought at a higher rate on Coinbase than on other international platforms, which could be due to increased demand from institutional and wealthy American investors.

What’s in Store For 2025

Looking at the broader picture, Bitcoin has been impacted by favorable market conditions, increased regulatory clarity in the U.S., and involvement from institutional investors via Bitcoin ETFs. At present, the cryptocurrency market is buoyed by optimism as governments and institutions worldwide embrace blockchain technology, setting a solid base for growing acceptance and investment in digital currencies.

This shift highlights the ecosystem’s maturity and its potential for long-term expansion. Analysts predict Bitcoin will continue to gain traction, pushing its price higher in 2025.

In a statement to CryptoPotato, Binance’s Head of Regional Markets Vishal Sacheendran said,

Looking ahead, the crypto landscape seems increasingly optimistic over the next year. As regulatory bodies establish more detailed guidelines, we can expect to see stronger security protocols, increased transparency, and easier access for both individual and institutional investors. The advent of Bitcoin ETFs and, most recently, Bitcoin ETF options, have been instrumental in the current market surge and offer simplified entry points for institutional investors, enabling them to navigate risks more efficiently.

A Springboard, Not a Finish Line

According to Presto Research, reaching the $100,000 milestone for Bitcoin is seen more as a stepping stone than an end goal. This is because Bitcoin is still relatively young compared to other significant financial assets on a macro scale. At this stage, Bitcoin’s market capitalization is still relatively small, making it difficult for large institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds, public pension plans, and central banks to invest due to the need for substantial market liquidity to execute sizeable trades.

Predicting the future, Presto believes that the next significant turning point will be when Bitcoin’s market capitalization approaches or even surpasses the impressive $18 trillion value of gold. This anticipated development could potentially position Bitcoin as an attractive investment choice for those managing assets.

Yet, exceeding the $100,000 mark presents difficulties, notably increased selling pressure from long-term investors (those who have held Bitcoin for 155 days or more). Historical data indicates substantial selling by hodlers at record highs, with approximately 1 million BTC sold so far in this cycle, generating $62 billion at an average price of around $67,000.

It’s promising to see that this cycle doesn’t exhibit the intense “panic selling” observed in previous high points. Presto suggested that market peaks are more influenced by growth in demand rather than selling pressure, and with factors such as ETF approvals, crypto-friendly policies, and increased global liquidity, strong demand could counteract selling pressure and extend Bitcoin’s upward trend.

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2024-12-05 12:38