Bitcoin price (BTC) reached new unprecedented heights on Monday, surging beyond $106,000 as President-elect Donald Trump's proposal for a national cryptocurrency reserve ignited a fresh wave of enthusiasm in digital asset markets.

In the meantime, VanEck presented its newest Bitcoin price prediction, forecasting the oldest cryptocurrency will reach $180,000 in 2025.

Bitcoin Hits All-Time High on Trump's Strategic Reserve Plans

The world's leading cryptocurrency jumped to $106,533 in early trading on Monday, December 16, 2024, marking a watershed moment for the digital asset class. The rally extends Bitcoin's remarkable year-to-date gain to 192%, with the total cryptocurrency market value swelling to $3.8 trillion.

The rally began on Sunday, December 15, 2024, when the price of BTC surged by 3%, reaching $105,250. Although Monday's gains have mostly been corrected at the time of writing, Bitcoin remains at a record-high price of $104,583.

Trump's pivot toward cryptocurrency policy has electrified markets. “We're gonna do something great with crypto,” the President-elect told media, expressing intentions to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve comparable to the nation's oil stockpile.

The announcement represents a dramatic shift for Trump, who previously dismissed cryptocurrencies. His administration's pro-crypto stance, including the appointment of David Sacks as White House cryptocurrency czar and the nomination of Paul Atkins to lead the SEC, has fueled investor optimism.

Adding to the bullish sentiment, software company MicroStrategy, the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, secured a spot in the prestigious Nasdaq 100 index. The firm's shares have surged over 500% this year, reflecting a growing institutional embrace of digital assets.

“BTC ETFs increased by $2.1bn last week with $IBIT gaining $394mn. With the Nasdaq hitting a record high, BTC's major moving average indicators (EMA, SMA) are still indicating buy strength,” commented Paul Howard, the Senior Director at Wincent. “It appears bullish sentiment will continue off the back of Abu Dhabi finance week and into the Christmas spending season. Anecdotally this too seems to be where BTC as a Christmas present is more in vogue than ever, it seems not the season to be gifting shorts.”

Global political figures have also weighed in on cryptocurrency's rising prominence. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted Bitcoin's resistance to prohibition, while noting how U.S. dollar policies are driving nations toward alternative assets.

“Overall, the projected price ranges for BTC and ETH this week are $96,000–1115,000 and $3,600–4,200 respectively,” said Ryan Lee, the Head Analyst at Bitget Research. “Stablecoins continue to show net inflows and maintain strong liquidity. Altcoins, which experienced significant price volatility last week, are expected to see a rebound this week.”

The cryptocurrency's meteoric rise since the November election, gaining over 50%, reflects growing confidence in a more favorable regulatory environment under the incoming administration.

Technical Analysis: Why Is Bitcoin Going Up?

The Bitcoin market value has surpassed $2 trillion following the latest price surge, with other cryptocurrencies also experiencing growth. Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest token by market capitalization, tested the psychological $4,000 level. A buying frenzy is evident across the market, with the Fear & Greed Index reaching 80 out of 100, signaling “extreme greed” among investors.

What Does Technical Analysis Say?

The key takeaway from the technical analysis is that previous highs from December 5 now serve as a support level. This opens the door for Bitcoin to continue its upward momentum, expanding the network of potential technical support.

Bitcoin Support Levels:

• $104,100 – Previous highs from December 5
• $100,000 – Psychological barrier and mid-November highs
• $90,800 – December 5 lows, a crucial support zone
• $73,800 – The ultimate support level for bulls

In my opinion, only a drop below $73,800 would signal a shift in Bitcoin's market narrative. Until then, any downward corrections could present buying opportunities at more attractive prices. This sentiment is bolstered by experts forecasting new all-time highs (ATHs) for Bitcoin in 2025.

If you want to learn more about the current crypto moves, you can also check my other projections. Last week I asked if Dogecoin could reach $10, and checked the newest developments with Ripple and the price of the XRP token.

VanEck's Bold Bitcoin Forecast: $180K

As Bitcoin continues its meteoric rise, investment management firm VanEck has released ambitious projections for the cryptocurrency market in 2025, painting a picture of dramatic highs and subsequent consolidation.

According to VanEck's analysis, the ongoing crypto bull market is expected to reach its initial zenith in the first quarter of 2025. The firm projects Bitcoin to hit a staggering $180,000, while Ethereum could surpass $6,000. Other prominent cryptocurrencies like Solana and Sui are anticipated to reach $500 and $10 respectively, showcasing the breadth of the projected rally.

“Following this first peak, we anticipate a 30% retracement in BTC, with altcoins facing sharper declines of up to 60% as the market consolidates during the summer,” VanEck’s Matthew Sigel forecasted. “However, a recovery is likely in the fall, with major tokens regaining momentum and reclaiming previous all-time highs by the end of the year.”

To identify potential market tops, VanEck has outlined several key indicators they're closely monitoring. These include sustained high funding rates in futures markets, excessive unrealized profits among Bitcoin holders, overvalued market capitalization relative to realized value, declining Bitcoin market dominance, and signs of mainstream speculative fervor.

More interestingly, those are not the highest Bitcoin price forecasts for 2025.

Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025

As Bitcoin tested levels above $106,000, leading industry figures have set their sights on ambitious targets for 2025. Here are the most notable predictions focusing specifically on next year:

• Tim Draper stands firm on his $250,000 forecast by the end of 2025. The veteran venture capitalist bases his prediction on increased merchant adoption and the upcoming Bitcoin halving event in April 2024. “The halving has historically triggered significant price movements in the following year,” Draper explains.
• Standard Chartered maintains its $200,000 target for 2025. The bank's analysts point to institutional inflows and regulatory clarity as key drivers, particularly highlighting the role of spot ETFs in mainstream adoption.
• Tom Lee from Fundstrat Global Advisors predicts Bitcoin price will reach $250,000 next year. “I think the shortage of Bitcoin supply is becoming an increasing problem for cryptocurrency exchanges,” Lee commented.
• BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes predicts Bitcoin will touch $175,000 in 2025, driven by what he calls the “wall of money” from traditional finance entering the crypto space.

Why is Bitcoin Price Up Today? FAQ Section

Why is Bitcoin going up again?

Bitcoin's recent surge can be attributed to a confluence of factors that have significantly bolstered investor confidence. President-elect Donald Trump's announcement of plans to establish a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve has been a major catalyst, signaling a dramatic shift in the governmental approach to cryptocurrencies. This, coupled with the inclusion of MicroStrategy, a major corporate Bitcoin holder, in the prestigious Nasdaq 100 index, has underscored growing institutional acceptance.

Where will Bitcoin be in 2025?

Looking ahead to 2025, industry experts and analysts have put forth a range of bullish predictions for Bitcoin's value. Venture capitalist Tim Draper maintains his forecast of $250,000 by the end of 2025, while Standard Chartered Bank projects a target of $200,000. Investment firm VanEck offers a more nuanced outlook, suggesting Bitcoin could reach $180,000 in early 2025 before experiencing a correction and subsequent recovery.

What will Bitcoin be worth in 2024?

As for Bitcoin's prospects in 2024, the outlook remains optimistic based on current market dynamics and recent developments. With Bitcoin currently trading above $100,000, many analysts view $110,000 as the next immediate target. Bitcoin maximalist Max Keiser has made a bold prediction of $220,000 by the end of 2024. The implementation of Trump's strategic reserve plan, if it comes to fruition, could provide additional upward momentum.