- Bitcoin has hit a historic milestone, surpassing $100,000 for the first time.
- The nomination of Paul Atkins, a cryptocurrency advocate, as SEC Chair by Donald Trump signals a potentially favorable regulatory environment for digital assets.
- BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF now holds over 500,000 BTC, underscoring a major embrace of Bitcoin by institutional investors.
- U.S. spot ETFs collectively hold over 1 million BTC, approaching Satoshi Nakamoto’s estimated holdings.
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell likened Bitcoin to gold during the DealBook Summit, bolstering its narrative as “digital gold” and a speculative asset for wealth preservation.
Bitcoin has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing $100,000 for the first time. The cryptocurrency reached an all-time high of $103,399 and is currently trading at $102,660, according to CoinMarketCap data.
This surge reflects an 8% increase in the past 24 hours, with trading volumes exceeding $106 billion, up over 55%.
This historic achievement is being hailed as a transformative moment for Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, took to social media to celebrate, and even suggested governments to create a ‘Bitcoin strategic reserve’. Armstrong posted on X:
“If you bought $100 of Bitcoin when Coinbase was founded in June 2012, it would now be worth about $1,500,000.
If you kept the $100 USD you’d only be able to purchase about $73 worth of goods today.
Bitcoin is the best performing asset of the last 12 years, and it’s still early days.
Every government, especially those looking to create a hedge against inflation, should create a Bitcoin strategic reserve.
Happy Bitcoin $100k day.“
Regulatory Shifts and Institutional Adoption
The recent price escalation is influenced by significant regulatory and institutional developments. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Paul Atkins, a known cryptocurrency advocate, to chair the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, is expected to adopt a more lenient approach toward crypto regulation, contrasting with the stringent measures of his predecessor, Gary Gensler.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has also impacted market sentiment by comparing Bitcoin to gold during the New York Times DealBook Summit. Powell emphasized Bitcoin’s role as a speculative asset and its volatility, likening it to digital gold rather than a substitute for the U.S. dollar.
Institutional adoption has further propelled Bitcoin’s ascent. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) now holds over 500,000 BTC, approximately $48 billion, solidifying its position as the third-largest Bitcoin holder globally.
Additionally, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs collectively hold over 1 million BTC, nearing the holdings of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, who is believed to possess around 1.096 million BTC.
BTC Price Crosses 100k Mark — What’s next?
Bitcoin’s breach of the $100,000 threshold marks a significant achievement, but questions arise about its future trajectory. The combination of a potentially crypto-friendly regulatory environment and increasing institutional investment suggests a favorable outlook. However, concerns about market volatility and the concentration of holdings among large entities persist.
Despite concerns about the sustainability of this rally, experts believe crossing the $100,000 threshold could reinforce Bitcoin’s perceived legitimacy and drive further adoption, especially if the regulatory environment becomes more favorable.
Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research, mentioned in an email note to AlexaBlockchain that Bitcoin’s ascent to $100,000 underscores its increasing adoption and perceived value.
Analysts are now focusing on potential resistance levels, with targets of $150,000 and even $200,000. The market’s measured reaction suggests there may still be room for growth.
However, Lee cautioned that Bitcoin’s rising dominance could temporarily divert investment away from altcoins. Historically, once Bitcoin stabilizes, altcoins often experience a resurgence. Investors frequently enter Bitcoin at new highs, anticipating sustained upward momentum, which could further propel its price in the short term.
Looking ahead to 2025, long-term forecasts project Bitcoin setting new all-time highs before altcoins regain attention and traction.
Lee warns that despite these optimistic scenarios, the inherent volatility of the crypto market cannot be overlooked. Investors are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential corrections.
Shivam Thakral, CEO of BuyUcoin, highlighted that Bitcoin’s historic milestone was fueled by optimism surrounding the incoming administration of President Donald Trump.
Shivam mentioned that the cryptocurrency’s peak reflects a remarkable 45% increase since Trump’s election victory four weeks ago. Traders are enthusiastic about a more favorable regulatory environment, particularly with Trump’s commitment to making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world” and his plans to establish a national Bitcoin reserve.
According to Shivam, Bitcoin could continue its upward trajectory as we head to 2025, and may reach over $120,000 soon.
Read Also: India’s Web3 Advocacy Body BWA Takes a New Initiative to Make Crypto Safer
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