Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is on the verge of hitting a major psychological milestone, as it trades just below US$100,000. The original cryptocurrency has seen a strong rebound after a 10-week slump, driven by renewed investor interest, especially in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The focus keyword, Bitcoin nears $100K, reflects both the market’s excitement and its broader implications.
Bitcoin Breaks Out After Market Slump
After facing weeks of pressure triggered by macroeconomic uncertainty—including Donald Trump’s recently reintroduced tariffs—Bitcoin nears $100K once again, climbing to US$97,483. That’s its highest level since February 21. The rally comes after a sharp 30% correction following Bitcoin’s previous all-time high of roughly US$109,000, set on Trump’s January 20 inauguration day.
While the broader stock and digital asset markets suffered due to tariff-induced fears, Bitcoin is showing renewed strength. Analysts say the latest surge is more about momentum and less about macroeconomic triggers like inflation or interest rates.
ETFs Fuel the Bitcoin Surge
Much of the upward momentum comes from rising inflows into Bitcoin and Ether ETFs. Over US$3.2 billion flowed into crypto ETFs last week alone. Notably, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) drew in nearly US$1.5 billion, its largest weekly inflow of 2025.
This massive capital injection highlights the growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment vehicle among institutional and retail investors. As Bitcoin nears $100K, these ETFs serve as both a reflection of investor confidence and a key catalyst for price movement.
Smaller tokens like Dogecoin (DOGE-USD) and Ether (ETH-USD) have also rallied—up 4.8% and 3.3%, respectively—mirroring Bitcoin’s rise and confirming the bullish sentiment across the crypto market.
Spot Market Demand Over Derivatives
One of the most interesting developments in this rally is the shift from leveraged derivatives trading to spot market demand. In previous runs, Bitcoin’s price was often driven by futures and options activity. This time, however, investors are buying the asset outright—indicating more sustainable interest.
According to data from Coinglass and Deribit, bullish bets on Bitcoin have increased moderately. Call options with a $100,000 strike price are now seeing the highest open interest, suggesting traders expect Bitcoin to surpass that level soon.
Chris Newhouse, director of research at Ergonia, a decentralized finance trading firm, noted:
“Market sentiment has broadly shifted in favour of momentum-based trades fuelled by spot demand, as BTC breaches levels not seen since early February.”
This suggests a healthier market foundation compared to previous speculative bubbles.
Bitcoin’s Changing Role in Financial Markets
As Bitcoin nears $100K, its relationship with traditional financial assets like gold and equities continues to evolve. At times, Bitcoin moves in sync with inflation hedges like gold; at other times, it aligns more closely with high-risk tech stocks.
This shifting correlation indicates that Bitcoin is carving out a new identity: no longer just a hedge or a speculative play, but a multi-dimensional asset. Its growing role in ETF portfolios, rising institutional adoption, and shift toward spot demand all suggest that crypto is becoming more integrated into mainstream finance.
What’s Next for Bitcoin?
With $100,000 within reach, many investors are watching closely for a breakout—or a rejection—at this critical resistance level. Should Bitcoin close above that threshold, analysts expect a new wave of retail interest and further institutional inflows.
If macro factors like inflation or interest rates stay in check, the momentum behind Bitcoin nears $100K could carry it even higher. But caution remains. Any major regulatory news or economic shock could still derail the rally.
Final Thoughts
The phrase Bitcoin nears $100K captures more than just a number—it marks a turning point for the asset class. With ETFs drawing billions and investor sentiment shifting toward long-term holding strategies, Bitcoin’s next move could shape the entire future of crypto markets.
Featured Image: Freepik
