The current market cycle resembles 2021, when a major shock, in that case, China’s mining ban, triggered a reset without upending the long-term bullish trend, according to the report.
This time around, disillusionment with macro policy and rising global liquidity seem to be playing a similar role. Price action shows resilience, not fear, with bitcoin now trading around $84,400, up from $83,152 earlier this month.
On-chain data signals such as the long/short-term holder supply ratio suggest this is a consolidation phase, and not a final peak. Over the past year, a surge of short-term holders, fueled by crypto’s growing mainstream adoption, flooded the market. However, the bottom-out suggests that these hands have been recently shaken out, potentially setting the stage for long-term holders to regain dominance.
Meanwhile, crypto-native tailwinds, including institutional ETF flows, regulatory clarity, and integration with traditional finance, are adding even more momentum. While further downside cannot be ruled out, particularly if Bitcoin retests the 200-day moving average near $77,000, the broader picture remains constructive. Assuming no immediate black swan or an unpredictable event, 21Shares maintains its recently revised target of $138,555 by year-end, representing a 59% upside from the current price of around $87,000.
Bitcoin’s four-year cycles, along with those of the broader digital asset market, are primarily driven by its halving events. These halvings occur roughly every 210,000 blocks (about every four years), and they significantly reduce the rate at which new Bitcoin is created and introduced into circulation.
Increased liquidity and legitimacy can result from institutional engagement, which frequently supports higher valuations. The halving event, known for its historical correlation with the price of bitcoin, is widely regarded as the main long-term catalyst influencing its value.
Bitcoin’s performance in 2024 depends on a variety of potential catalysts. Numerous factors, such as institutional adoption, the most recent halving event, regulatory changes, and macroeconomic trends, will influence the price of Bitcoin in 2024.
As of April 2025, Bitcoin is trading around $85,000. The bullish Bitcoin price prediction for the end of 2024 is $153,126.83.
While some analysts remain bullish, citing a new era and favorable policies under President Trump as reasons for optimism, betting markets predict that Bitcoin has likely peaked for the year 2025, hovering just above its previous high of $109,000 reached in January.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), making it easier for mainstream investors to access bitcoin. The ETFs involve major institutional players such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale.
21Shares' analysis suggests that Bitcoin's price could reach $138,555 by the end of 2025, driven by macroeconomic resilience, on-chain strength, and institutional adoption. However, market participants should remain cautious, as various factors could influence the cryptocurrency's trajectory in the coming months.
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