Bitcoin Hits $98,000 ATH as Whales and Sharks Accumulate Over $5.4B in BTC

• Bitcoin surged to an all-time high of $98,000, with whales and institutional investors strategically accumulating over $5.4 billion in cryptocurrency.
• Analysts predict Bitcoin could reach $200,000 by 2025, driven by favorable market conditions, potential crypto-friendly regulations, and strong institutional interest.

Bitcoin (BTC), the leading cryptocurrency, has shattered expectations by rocketing to an unprecedented all-time high of $98,000, according to CNF’s Bitcoin Price Index. The digital currency’s meteoric rise reflects a complex interplay of institutional interest, strategic investors, and whale movements.

Santiment, a well-known crypto analyst firm, believes that a key factor behind the rise is the accumulation trend among “whale” and “shark” wallets, which hold at least 10 BTC. Over the past month, these wallets have added 56,397 BTC, now valued at $5.428 billion.

Bitcoin's new all-time high now stands at $97,890 after a surge approximately 90 minutes ago. Among several factors, one metric to continue monitoring is the collective holdings of whale & shark wallets holding at least 10 BTC.

Over the past month, these wallets have… pic.twitter.com/VaV9AN8KZ3

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) November 21, 2024

Interestingly, despite the surge in holdings, the number of whale and shark wallets has decreased by 1,256 (-0.82%). This consolidation suggests larger balances in fewer hands, hinting at increased confidence among major investors. Monitoring these wallets will be crucial for predicting the duration of this historic bull run and potential future market shifts.

In July, Large Bitcoin holders, controlled at least 0.1% of circulating supply and strategically acquired over 84,000 BTC during market fluctuations, showcasing remarkable confidence in the asset’s potential.

What’s Driving Bitcoin’s Recent Surge?

Bitcoin’s surge coincides with favorable broader market conditions, particularly following the U.S. presidential election. Expectations of potentially more crypto-friendly regulations under the current administration have injected additional optimism into digital asset markets.

Analysts are increasingly bullish, with predictions ranging from Bitcoin reaching $100,000 in the near term and predicted to reach $200,000 by the end of 2025 amid Trump’s crypto-friendly policies. The cryptocurrency has already demonstrated impressive performance, gaining 40% in the past month and over 100% in 2024.

The exceptional accumulation by whales—$5.428 billion in July—represents the highest strategic buying since October 2014. This signals not just speculative interest but a profound belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition. As institutional involvement continues to expand and cryptocurrency gains mainstream acceptance, Bitcoin’s journey will witness more than a price surge

Federal Reserve Impact on Bitcoin’s Path

Federal Reserve developments have played a crucial role in Bitcoin’s trajectory. With CME’s FedWatch tool indicating an 86.5% probability of a potential interest rate cut in September, market participants closely monitor potential monetary policy shifts. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent comments suggest a cautious approach, emphasizing the need for robust economic data to support any liquidity adjustments.

Stablecoin market capitalization has also witnessed impressive growth, rising 2.11% to $164 billion in July—the highest level since April 2022, according to the data from IntoTheBlock. This surge represents substantial new capital entering digital asset markets, signaling increasing institutional confidence.

The launch of Bitcoin ETF options has been a transformative moment. On November 5th, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) pioneered options trading, followed by products from Bitwise and Grayscale. These developments have significantly legitimized Bitcoin, positioning it alongside traditional financial instruments and attracting a broader investor base.