After ~15 years, Bitcoin has become one of the most improbable and inspiring success stories in the modern age. It is a global phenomenon that has captivated believers and naysayers alike through wild market cycles, stories of forward-thinking investors going from rags to riches, and sometimes controversial events – all spawning from an enigmatic creator and his/her/their whitepaper. Now, as 2025 approaches, the world’s largest and most robust digital asset has officially breached a significant milestone: BTC is over $100,000 USD.
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Eyes on the Prize
For years, Bitcoin enthusiasts like Michael Saylor have unabashedly displayed ‘laser eyes’ on social media platforms like X. This symbolized a steadfast belief that Bitcoin would, one day, reach six figures. Today, that dedication has been rewarded.
Source: X @saylor
For most, this milestone is more than just a number. Rather, it is a testament to the resilience of the Bitcoin community, which has shown unwavering support through bull runs, bear markets, regulatory crackdowns, and global economic uncertainty. The achievement validates all the small steps taken toward global acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a legitimate and revolutionary financial instrument.
On the other hand, to some, while BTC at $100,000 USD is a monumental achievement, this is simply an arbitrary marker that is associated with true mainstream adoption. To the most die-hard believers and staunchest BTC maximalists, we are looking at it backward. They continue to believe that one day, BTC will be the world’s reserve currency in which all other assets are priced. While many may still need convincing of this, every milestone reached makes such a future harder to ignore.
Bitcoin’s Market Cycle Trajectory
Bitcoin is a unique asset that has continually bucked trends over the years. It has had many faces, being touted as digital cash, digital gold, and more. It is, perhaps, this ability to pivot and appeal to such a broad audience that has allowed it to weather so many 4 year cycles with uncanny success.
While volatile in the short term, the following look at its recurring 4-year cycle paints a picture of an asset that, apparently, has nowhere to go but up over time.
The Early Days (2009-2013): Bitcoin started as a niche experiment, worth fractions of a cent. By 2013, it had gained traction among tech enthusiasts and early adopters, reaching $1,000 for the first time.
The First Major Crash (2014-2016): After its initial surge, Bitcoin faced its first major bear market, driven by the collapse of Mt. Gox and skepticism from mainstream finance. Prices stagnated in the low hundreds.
The 2017 Bull Run and ICO Boom: Bitcoin reached $20,000 in December 2017, spurred by a retail frenzy and increasing institutional interest. However, this astounding rise was followed by another stark correction, with prices dropping below $4,000 by early 2019.
The Institutions Arrive (2020-Present): The pandemic-fueled financial uncertainty of 2020 marked a turning point for Bitcoin as institutional players like MicroStrategy (MSTR +8.72%), Tesla (TSLA +1.85%), and nation-states such as El Salvador began paying attention. This drove prices to $69,000 in late 2021. Following another market correction, Bitcoin entered a period of consolidation in the $20,000-$30,000 range throughout much of 2022 and 2023.
The Final Push Toward Mainstream Acceptance (2024): Bitcoin’s final push to $100,000 was fueled by increasing adoption, unprecedented acceptance and performance of approved ETFs, and a growing wave of demand from emerging markets. All of which was further catalyzed by the latest halving, which took place in early 2024.
What’s Next?
While it would be nice to continue basking in BTC’s success and its new all-time high, markets must move forward, begging the question: What comes next for Bitcoin? With that in mind, the following are a few of the most promising and worrisome considerations for the coming months.
- Further Institutional Adoption
Most analysts agree that this milestone will accelerate institutional adoption. Although there may be a short-term pullback as investors take profit, companies that were previously hesitant to gain exposure to BTC may now see the asset as a credible long-term store of value. The approval of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, in particular, was a pivotal moment in facilitating this latest wave of adoption, clearing the way for more to follow. - A Target of $150,000 to $200,000
Although there are those that, essentially, believe there is no upper limit to what price BTC may one day achieve, most point to $150,000-200,000 as being the next major psychological milestones. After all, aside from its underlying fundamentals only becoming stronger, Bitcoin will continue to operate on a four-year cycle with decreasing issuance rates in the face of increasing demand. - Global Reserve Asset Potential
While institutional adoption will, no doubt, play a major role in BTC achieving its next milestones, it is perhaps the adoption of BTC by nation-states that will allow it to achieve these. With President-elect Donald Trump pledging to create a U.S. strategic BTC reserve, many expect for nations around the world to follow suit, creating unprecedented demand. Countries to watch are those with volatile currencies, like Argentina and Turkey, as they may be most likely to view Bitcoin as a hedge against suffocating inflation. If this occurs, it would not be a stretch to imagine Bitcoin’s price skyrocketing to $500,000 or beyond within the coming years. - Caution Amid Euphoria
Optimism is a wonderful thing until you are blinded by it. BTC at $100,000 was such a heralded event for years that it could also mark a bull-run peak, followed by a painful collapse. For those looking to the past in an attempt to predict the future, consider that historical data suggests that Bitcoin often sees corrections after major psychological milestones. Like always with Bitcoin, hope for the best, but plan for the worst, as there is sure to be some level of volatility.
Final Thoughts – Congratulations to the HODLERs
The bottom line is that Bitcoin reaching $100,000 is more than a headline—it’s an unprecedented event that will cement BTC’s place as a leading asset in the global financial ecosystem. For the die-hard Bitcoin community, it’s a moment of vindication and celebration. The laser eyes, long ridiculed by skeptics, now represent a prediction fulfilled.
Moving forward, the world will undoubtedly be watching closer than ever. Will BTC fizzle out, receding into another bear market from here until the next cycle? Or will a snowball effect occur as nation-states rush to gain exposure, pushing prices higher than many thought possible?
Whether it becomes the backbone of a new financial order or remains a speculative asset, one thing is clear: Bitcoin is here to stay.
To learn more about this asset, visit our guide to Investing in Bitcoin.
