Bitcoin Shatters Records Four Times in a Week — Is $100,000 by 2025 Within Reach?

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Bitcoin’s meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing. In just one week, it broke its all-time high four separate times, cementing its status as the eighth-largest asset globally by market capitalization. On February 20, it crossed $50,000; by February 28, it surpassed $60,000. It hit a new record at $69,000 on March 5, climbed past $70,000 on March 8, and reached an unprecedented $73,000 on March 12 — a date historically associated with market crashes in the crypto world.

As of this writing, Bitcoin has rebounded above $73,000 after a brief pullback, trading at $73,153.60 with a 1.11% gain over the past day. The surge hasn’t come without turbulence — over 100,000 traders were liquidated in the last 24 hours, with total losses amounting to $348 million.

A familiar pattern has emerged: every new high is followed by sharp volatility. According to Coinglass data, both long and short positions have been wiped out repeatedly since late February. Yet despite these swings, Bitcoin’s year-to-date gain stands near 70%, signaling strong underlying momentum.

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Why Is Bitcoin Surging? Key Market Drivers

Institutional Adoption and ETF Momentum

One of the most significant catalysts behind Bitcoin’s rally is the surge in institutional interest. Centralized exchanges (CEX) are now seeing daily trading volumes approaching $100 billion**, while U.S.-based Bitcoin spot ETFs have recorded a record **$10 billion in daily volume.

This growing liquidity reflects broader acceptance and integration of crypto into traditional financial systems. The approval and success of spot ETFs have lowered entry barriers for retail and institutional investors alike, channeling massive capital flows into the market.

Regulatory Green Lights Around the Globe

Positive regulatory developments are also playing a pivotal role. The London Stock Exchange announced plans to accept applications for Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded notes (ETNs) starting in Q2 2024 — joining CME and SGX as major global exchanges embracing crypto-linked products.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed that such ETNs will be available exclusively to professional investors, including investment firms and authorized credit institutions. These ETNs are unsecured debt instruments tied to crypto assets, offering low-cost, transparent exposure without direct ownership.

This expansion of regulated investment vehicles signals increasing legitimacy and demand for digital assets across international markets.

Bitcoin Price Predictions: $100K or Beyond?

With momentum building, major financial institutions are raising their Bitcoin price forecasts:

The core driver? A classic imbalance of supply and demand.

“Bitcoin is fundamentally a story of new net demand meeting fixed supply,” said Bitwise’s CEO. With the upcoming halving event in April 2025, which will cut block rewards in half and slow new supply growth, scarcity dynamics are intensifying.

Bernstein analysts echo this view, projecting a $150,000 target as institutional adoption accelerates.

👉 See how scarcity models are reshaping long-term crypto valuations.

Cathie Wood’s Bold Forecast: $1 Million by 2030?

ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood recently revised her famously bullish prediction upward. While her original model targeted $1 million per BTC by 2030, she now believes that estimate may be too conservative.

“With increasing inflows into spot ETFs and growing institutional participation, we haven’t even begun to see the full impact,” Wood stated. She envisions Bitcoin reaching a $20 trillion market cap**, translating to roughly **$1 million per coin.

Crucially, she notes that major banks like JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Merrill Lynch have yet to fully embrace Bitcoin — suggesting the next wave of capital could come from traditional finance giants.

The “Kimchi Premium” Returns: Korea’s Crypto Frenzy

While U.S. institutions drive much of the global rally, retail energy is surging elsewhere — particularly in South Korea.

On March 12, Korean crypto exchanges recorded 12 trillion KRW (~$9 billion) in volume, exceeding the country’s stock market turnover that day. The phenomenon known as the “kimchi premium” — where Bitcoin trades at a significant markup on local exchanges — spiked to over 10%, the highest level in two years.

At one point, Bitcoin was priced at 72,504 USD on Upbit, nearly $3,000 above global averages.

What’s Behind the Kimchi Premium?

Unlike U.S. investors who can access Bitcoin through ETFs, Korean retail traders lack such regulated options. This limited access creates higher demand on domestic platforms, pushing prices up.

CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju attributes the surge to cultural and economic factors:

“Koreans favor high-risk, high-reward strategies shaped by rapid economic development. As wealth inequality grows, more individuals turn to crypto — especially altcoins — for outsized returns.”

Ho Chan Chung, an analyst at CryptoQuant, adds:

“In Korea, price movements are primarily driven by retail demand rather than institutional flows.”

Kaiko Research reports that during this rally, around 1,500 new ‘million-dollar wallets’ are created daily. March 1 alone saw 1,691 such wallets emerge — highlighting widespread wealth creation.

Wu Gaobin, Vice Chair of China’s Web3.0 Committee, warns that while strong demand supports prices long-term, excessive premiums can indicate speculative bubbles:

“Arbitrageurs may exploit price gaps between markets, increasing volatility and potentially destabilizing local pricing.”

Yu Jianning, co-chair of China’s Blockchain Committee, agrees:

“International traders watching the kimchi premium could increase cross-market activity, eventually narrowing price disparities but adding short-term turbulence.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What caused Bitcoin’s recent price surge?

The rally has been fueled by a combination of factors: growing institutional adoption via spot ETFs, favorable regulatory moves in Europe and Asia, increased trading volume on major exchanges, and anticipation of the April 2025 halving event that will reduce new supply.

Is $100,000 a realistic target for Bitcoin?

Yes — multiple financial institutions including Standard Chartered and Bernstein consider $100,000 achievable by late 2025. With constrained supply and rising demand from both retail and institutional investors, this target aligns with fundamental market dynamics.

What is the “kimchi premium”?

The kimchi premium refers to the price difference between Bitcoin on South Korean exchanges and global markets. Due to restricted access to regulated crypto products and strong retail demand, Bitcoin often trades at a significant premium in Korea — recently exceeding 10%.

How does the halving affect Bitcoin’s price?

The halving reduces the rate at which new Bitcoins are created by 50%, effectively cutting supply growth. Historically, previous halvings have preceded major bull runs due to increased scarcity and investor anticipation.

Are there risks in today’s Bitcoin rally?

Yes. Despite strong fundamentals, Bitcoin remains highly volatile. Regulatory changes, macroeconomic shifts (like interest rate decisions), or sudden market corrections could trigger sharp drawdowns. Investors should assess their risk tolerance before entering the market.

Will other banks follow ETF issuers into crypto?

Early signs suggest yes. While major Wall Street banks haven’t launched their own funds yet, executives from firms like JPMorgan have acknowledged growing client demand. As infrastructure improves and regulations clarify, broader institutional participation is likely to expand.

This analysis combines real-time data, expert insights, and macro trends to provide a comprehensive outlook on Bitcoin’s current trajectory — positioning it not just as a speculative asset but as an increasingly central player in global finance.