Bitcoin’s (BTC) rise
above $105,000 on May 20, 2025, has reignited curiosity about its potential
ceiling and the forces propelling its current rally. As investors and analysts
speculate on how high Bitcoin can climb, today’s surge, fueled by institutional
inflows, bullish technical patterns, and macroeconomic tailwinds, offers clues
to its trajectory.
Drawing
from expert insights, on-chain data, and market trends, this article explores
why Bitcoin is soaring today and what price levels it might reach in the near
and long term.
From a technical analysis perspective, two things seem important: a bullish pin bar on the BTC daily chart and a potential golden cross.
Bitcoin ’s price surged over 3% in the last 24 hours, reaching an intraday high of $106,851 on May 20, 2025, from yesterday’s $102,100 the previous day, according to CoinMarketCap and TradingView.
Bitcoin price today. Source: CoinMarketCap
Several key
factors are driving this rally. Dr. Kirill Kretov from CoinPanel provides
insight into the current market dynamics:
“From
an on-chain perspective, the current Bitcoin setup closely resembles the
pre-bull run structure we saw in early 2021. While we are not seeing the
breakout yet, the conditions for a major move are rapidly forming.”
1. Growing Institutional
Demand and ETF Inflows
Institutional
interest in Bitcoin is at an all-time high, significantly boosting its price.
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. have seen inflows for 18
of the last 21 days, accumulating $6.9 billion in new capital over three weeks,
according to Farside Investors. Additionally, CoinShares reported $557 million
in inflows to Bitcoin investment products last week, reflecting growing
investor confidence.
Corporate
adoption is also on the rise. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) purchased 7,390
BTC worth $765 million, while Japan’s Metaplanet added 1,004 BTC for $129
million, as announced on May 19, 2025. This institutional and corporate buying
spree signals Bitcoin’s increasing role as a long-term asset, pushing its price
toward new highs.
JUST IN: 🇯🇵 Metaplanet bought another 1,004 #Bitcoin for ¥15 billion. pic.twitter.com/lH88USthZ7
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 19, 2025
2. High Open Interest in
Futures Markets
Bitcoin’s
rally is further supported by unprecedented open interest (OI) in the futures
market, which hit an all-time high of $72.63 billion on May 20, up 27% from
$57.1 billion a month earlier, according to CoinGlass.
Source: CoinGlass.com
Bitcoin CME
futures OI also reached a 90-day high of 157,875 BTC ($16.76 billion) on May
19. This surge in leveraged positions indicates strong market expectations of
continued upward momentum, similar to the 84% rally from October to December
2024, when Bitcoin hit its previous all-time high of $108,000.
3. Macroeconomic Tailwinds
Macroeconomic
factors are also fueling Bitcoin’s rise. Increasing M2 money supply and easing
U.S.-China trade tensions have bolstered bets on a new record high.
Bitcoin’s
fixed supply and transparency make it an attractive hedge against fiat currency
risks and sovereign debt fragility, especially as institutional and sovereign
interest grows, according to Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.
You may also like: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025, 2026, 2030. Experts BTC Forecast And Outlook (May 2025)
Bullish Technical Patterns
on Bitcoin chart
Additionally,
a bullish pin bar candle near the $105,000 support level, identified in my technical
analysis, signals strong buying pressure defending this key zone. This level
aligns with local highs from early May, reinforcing its significance.
Bullish pin bar candle on the Bitcoin chart. Source: Tradingview.com
The
upcoming golden cross, where the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) crosses
above the 200-day SMA, further supports bullish sentiment. Past golden crosses
in October 2023 and September 2021 led to 45–60% price rallies, though a
February 2020 bull trap serves as a reminder of potential risks.
#Bitcon golden cross should occur in a few days. Will probably make a video soon discussing this and looking back at historical moves following it pic.twitter.com/qRqIweAopD
— Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) May 20, 2025
“We are now
in a thin liquidity environment, where it wouldn’t take much to move the price
significantly,” added Kretov. “Technically, formations like the potential
bullish pin bar candle near $105K support are worth watching, but price action
alone doesn’t tell the full story. Structurally, barriers to upward movement
are largely gone. That said, volatility remains elevated, and large players
continue to extract profits from both sides, often farming funding rates and
arbitraging between markets.”
How High Can Bitcoin Go?
Bitcoin’s
potential price ceiling depends on a mix of technical, on-chain, and
fundamental factors. Here’s a breakdown of projections and scenarios:
- $109,000–$116,000: Breaking above the $106,000
neckline resistance could see Bitcoin test its previous all-time high of
$109,000. Cointelegraph suggests a move to $116,000 could occur as early as
this week if momentum persists. - $130,000–$138,000: The cup-and-handle pattern’s
technical target points to $138,000, while Tracy Jin, the COO of MEXC,
projects $130,000 by Q3 2025, driven by sustained institutional inflows.
Tracy Jin, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of crypto exchange MEXC
“Bitcoin,
however, is showing resilience. The asset has posted six consecutive weeks of
growth, closing near $106,500. The $105,800 level is a key resistance zone: a
confirmed breakout could open the way toward $109,000, with optimistic
projections reaching $130,000 in Q3 and potentially $150,000 by year-end,” Jin
commented.
- $150,000–$180,000
by Year-End: Ryan
Lee, an analyst at Bitget Research, projects Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by
the end of 2025, driven by institutional adoption and limited supply. Tracy Jin
also sees $150,000 as achievable, citing Bitcoin’s growing role in diversified
portfolios.
“Bitcoin
may not hit a new all-time high in May, but is likely to oscillate around its
current ATH within the next 1-2 months. Market consolidation is expected as
investors digest recent gains and institutional interest stabilizes. Volatility
remains, but a breakout could occur soon after,” Lee said.
- Volatility
Risks: Despite the
bullish outlook, a short-term pullback to the $92,400–$95,000 range (aligned
with 50-day and 200-day EMAs) is possible, especially given the Relative
Strength Index (RSI) crossing the overbought threshold of 70 and bearish RSI
divergence, as noted by Cointelegraph.
Potential Risks
While the
outlook is bullish, risks remain:
- A deeper
correction to $91,000–$98,500 could occur if the $97,000–$98,500 support fails,
as warned by Tracy Jin. - Dr. Kretov
highlights the possibility of a sharp dip to liquidate weak hands, given
elevated volatility and profit-taking by large players. - Historical
failures, like the February 2020 golden cross preceding a 62% crash, underscore
the need to monitor broader market conditions.
Key Support and Resistance Levels
|
Level |
Price Range |
Description |
|
Resistance 1 |
$106,000–$109,000 |
Neckline |
|
Resistance 2 |
$130,000–$138,000 |
Cup-and-handle |
|
Support 1 |
$97,000–$98,500 |
Near-term support zone |
|
Support 2 |
$92,400–$95,000 |
Aligns |
|
Support 3 |
$90,000–$91,000 |
2024 |
Why Bitcoin’s Rally Could
Continue
Bitcoin’s
structural appeal is growing, with its $2 trillion market cap still dwarfed by
gold’s $21 trillion, as noted by Tracy Jin. Its fixed issuance, transparency,
and role as a hedge against macroeconomic imbalances make it a compelling asset
for institutional and sovereign investors. The combination of strong technical
patterns, institutional inflows, and favorable macro conditions positions
Bitcoin for potential new highs in the coming months.
However,
investors should remain cautious. Ryan Lee advises against significant selling
in the near term, given Bitcoin’s long-term potential, but monitoring market
cycles is crucial. A consolidation phase or correction could precede the next
leg up, as suggested by both Lee and Kretov.
Check also my previous analysis and predictions for other major crypto tokens:
XRP News: Why XRP Is Going Up and Price Predictions (May 2025)- Dogecoin
Price Today Test February Highs: DOGE Live Chart, Forecast, and May 2025
Predictions
Bitcoin News, FAQ
Why is Bitcoin up right
now?
Bitcoin is
up over 3% today, reaching an intraday high of $106,851 on May 20, 2025, driven
by strong institutional demand, with $6.9 billion in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF
inflows over three weeks and corporate purchases like Strategy’s $765 million
and Metaplanet’s $129 million BTC acquisitions.
How much will 1 Bitcoin be
worth in 2025?
Projections
for Bitcoin’s value by the end of 2025 vary. Ryan Lee from Bitget Research
predicts $180,000, driven by institutional inflows and limited supply. Tracy
Jin from MEXC estimates $150,000, citing Bitcoin’s growing role in portfolios.
Technical analysis suggests a range of $130,000–$138,000 if the cup-and-handle
pattern plays out, though short-term corrections could occur.
How high will Bitcoin go
in 2025?
Bitcoin
could reach $138,000 in the near term if it breaks the $106,000–$109,000
resistance, per Cointelegraph’s cup-and-handle analysis. Optimistic forecasts
project $150,000–$180,000 by year-end, supported by institutional adoption and
macroeconomic tailwinds. However, volatility may lead to pullbacks to
$91,000–$98,500 before sustained breakouts.
What will Bitcoin be worth
in 5 years’ time?
Predicting
Bitcoin’s value in 2030 is speculative, but its growing adoption as a macro
asset and hedge against fiat risks suggests significant upside. Analysts like
Ryan Lee emphasize long-term potential due to institutional and sovereign
interest, with estimates ranging from $200,000 to $500,000, depending on market
cycles, regulatory developments, and global economic conditions. However,
volatility and unforeseen events could impact this outlook.
Bitcoin’s (BTC) rise
above $105,000 on May 20, 2025, has reignited curiosity about its potential
ceiling and the forces propelling its current rally. As investors and analysts
speculate on how high Bitcoin can climb, today’s surge, fueled by institutional
inflows, bullish technical patterns, and macroeconomic tailwinds, offers clues
to its trajectory.
Drawing
from expert insights, on-chain data, and market trends, this article explores
why Bitcoin is soaring today and what price levels it might reach in the near
and long term.
From a technical analysis perspective, two things seem important: a bullish pin bar on the BTC daily chart and a potential golden cross.
Bitcoin ’s price surged over 3% in the last 24 hours, reaching an intraday high of $106,851 on May 20, 2025, from yesterday’s $102,100 the previous day, according to CoinMarketCap and TradingView.
Bitcoin price today. Source: CoinMarketCap
Several key
factors are driving this rally. Dr. Kirill Kretov from CoinPanel provides
insight into the current market dynamics:
“From
an on-chain perspective, the current Bitcoin setup closely resembles the
pre-bull run structure we saw in early 2021. While we are not seeing the
breakout yet, the conditions for a major move are rapidly forming.”
1. Growing Institutional
Demand and ETF Inflows
Institutional
interest in Bitcoin is at an all-time high, significantly boosting its price.
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. have seen inflows for 18
of the last 21 days, accumulating $6.9 billion in new capital over three weeks,
according to Farside Investors. Additionally, CoinShares reported $557 million
in inflows to Bitcoin investment products last week, reflecting growing
investor confidence.
Corporate
adoption is also on the rise. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) purchased 7,390
BTC worth $765 million, while Japan’s Metaplanet added 1,004 BTC for $129
million, as announced on May 19, 2025. This institutional and corporate buying
spree signals Bitcoin’s increasing role as a long-term asset, pushing its price
toward new highs.
JUST IN: 🇯🇵 Metaplanet bought another 1,004 #Bitcoin for ¥15 billion. pic.twitter.com/lH88USthZ7
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) May 19, 2025
2. High Open Interest in
Futures Markets
Bitcoin’s
rally is further supported by unprecedented open interest (OI) in the futures
market, which hit an all-time high of $72.63 billion on May 20, up 27% from
$57.1 billion a month earlier, according to CoinGlass.
Source: CoinGlass.com
Bitcoin CME
futures OI also reached a 90-day high of 157,875 BTC ($16.76 billion) on May
19. This surge in leveraged positions indicates strong market expectations of
continued upward momentum, similar to the 84% rally from October to December
2024, when Bitcoin hit its previous all-time high of $108,000.
3. Macroeconomic Tailwinds
Macroeconomic
factors are also fueling Bitcoin’s rise. Increasing M2 money supply and easing
U.S.-China trade tensions have bolstered bets on a new record high.
Bitcoin’s
fixed supply and transparency make it an attractive hedge against fiat currency
risks and sovereign debt fragility, especially as institutional and sovereign
interest grows, according to Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.
You may also like: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025, 2026, 2030. Experts BTC Forecast And Outlook (May 2025)
Bullish Technical Patterns
on Bitcoin chart
Additionally,
a bullish pin bar candle near the $105,000 support level, identified in my technical
analysis, signals strong buying pressure defending this key zone. This level
aligns with local highs from early May, reinforcing its significance.
Bullish pin bar candle on the Bitcoin chart. Source: Tradingview.com
The
upcoming golden cross, where the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) crosses
above the 200-day SMA, further supports bullish sentiment. Past golden crosses
in October 2023 and September 2021 led to 45–60% price rallies, though a
February 2020 bull trap serves as a reminder of potential risks.
#Bitcon golden cross should occur in a few days. Will probably make a video soon discussing this and looking back at historical moves following it pic.twitter.com/qRqIweAopD
— Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) May 20, 2025
“We are now
in a thin liquidity environment, where it wouldn’t take much to move the price
significantly,” added Kretov. “Technically, formations like the potential
bullish pin bar candle near $105K support are worth watching, but price action
alone doesn’t tell the full story. Structurally, barriers to upward movement
are largely gone. That said, volatility remains elevated, and large players
continue to extract profits from both sides, often farming funding rates and
arbitraging between markets.”
How High Can Bitcoin Go?
Bitcoin’s
potential price ceiling depends on a mix of technical, on-chain, and
fundamental factors. Here’s a breakdown of projections and scenarios:
- $109,000–$116,000: Breaking above the $106,000
neckline resistance could see Bitcoin test its previous all-time high of
$109,000. Cointelegraph suggests a move to $116,000 could occur as early as
this week if momentum persists. - $130,000–$138,000: The cup-and-handle pattern’s
technical target points to $138,000, while Tracy Jin, the COO of MEXC,
projects $130,000 by Q3 2025, driven by sustained institutional inflows.
Tracy Jin, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of crypto exchange MEXC
“Bitcoin,
however, is showing resilience. The asset has posted six consecutive weeks of
growth, closing near $106,500. The $105,800 level is a key resistance zone: a
confirmed breakout could open the way toward $109,000, with optimistic
projections reaching $130,000 in Q3 and potentially $150,000 by year-end,” Jin
commented.
- $150,000–$180,000
by Year-End: Ryan
Lee, an analyst at Bitget Research, projects Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by
the end of 2025, driven by institutional adoption and limited supply. Tracy Jin
also sees $150,000 as achievable, citing Bitcoin’s growing role in diversified
portfolios.
“Bitcoin
may not hit a new all-time high in May, but is likely to oscillate around its
current ATH within the next 1-2 months. Market consolidation is expected as
investors digest recent gains and institutional interest stabilizes. Volatility
remains, but a breakout could occur soon after,” Lee said.
- Volatility
Risks: Despite the
bullish outlook, a short-term pullback to the $92,400–$95,000 range (aligned
with 50-day and 200-day EMAs) is possible, especially given the Relative
Strength Index (RSI) crossing the overbought threshold of 70 and bearish RSI
divergence, as noted by Cointelegraph.
Potential Risks
While the
outlook is bullish, risks remain:
- A deeper
correction to $91,000–$98,500 could occur if the $97,000–$98,500 support fails,
as warned by Tracy Jin. - Dr. Kretov
highlights the possibility of a sharp dip to liquidate weak hands, given
elevated volatility and profit-taking by large players. - Historical
failures, like the February 2020 golden cross preceding a 62% crash, underscore
the need to monitor broader market conditions.
Key Support and Resistance Levels
|
Level |
Price Range |
Description |
|
Resistance 1 |
$106,000–$109,000 |
Neckline |
|
Resistance 2 |
$130,000–$138,000 |
Cup-and-handle |
|
Support 1 |
$97,000–$98,500 |
Near-term support zone |
|
Support 2 |
$92,400–$95,000 |
Aligns |
|
Support 3 |
$90,000–$91,000 |
2024 |
Why Bitcoin’s Rally Could
Continue
Bitcoin’s
structural appeal is growing, with its $2 trillion market cap still dwarfed by
gold’s $21 trillion, as noted by Tracy Jin. Its fixed issuance, transparency,
and role as a hedge against macroeconomic imbalances make it a compelling asset
for institutional and sovereign investors. The combination of strong technical
patterns, institutional inflows, and favorable macro conditions positions
Bitcoin for potential new highs in the coming months.
However,
investors should remain cautious. Ryan Lee advises against significant selling
in the near term, given Bitcoin’s long-term potential, but monitoring market
cycles is crucial. A consolidation phase or correction could precede the next
leg up, as suggested by both Lee and Kretov.
Check also my previous analysis and predictions for other major crypto tokens:
XRP News: Why XRP Is Going Up and Price Predictions (May 2025)- Dogecoin
Price Today Test February Highs: DOGE Live Chart, Forecast, and May 2025
Predictions
Bitcoin News, FAQ
Why is Bitcoin up right
now?
Bitcoin is
up over 3% today, reaching an intraday high of $106,851 on May 20, 2025, driven
by strong institutional demand, with $6.9 billion in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF
inflows over three weeks and corporate purchases like Strategy’s $765 million
and Metaplanet’s $129 million BTC acquisitions.
How much will 1 Bitcoin be
worth in 2025?
Projections
for Bitcoin’s value by the end of 2025 vary. Ryan Lee from Bitget Research
predicts $180,000, driven by institutional inflows and limited supply. Tracy
Jin from MEXC estimates $150,000, citing Bitcoin’s growing role in portfolios.
Technical analysis suggests a range of $130,000–$138,000 if the cup-and-handle
pattern plays out, though short-term corrections could occur.
How high will Bitcoin go
in 2025?
Bitcoin
could reach $138,000 in the near term if it breaks the $106,000–$109,000
resistance, per Cointelegraph’s cup-and-handle analysis. Optimistic forecasts
project $150,000–$180,000 by year-end, supported by institutional adoption and
macroeconomic tailwinds. However, volatility may lead to pullbacks to
$91,000–$98,500 before sustained breakouts.
What will Bitcoin be worth
in 5 years’ time?
Predicting
Bitcoin’s value in 2030 is speculative, but its growing adoption as a macro
asset and hedge against fiat risks suggests significant upside. Analysts like
Ryan Lee emphasize long-term potential due to institutional and sovereign
interest, with estimates ranging from $200,000 to $500,000, depending on market
cycles, regulatory developments, and global economic conditions. However,
volatility and unforeseen events could impact this outlook.
