5 March 2024, Bitcoin (BTC) reached a remarkable milestone by surpassing USD 69,200, setting a new all-time high for its value. This milestone came on the back of a 5% surge in the last 24 hours, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the leading cryptocurrency. This achievement follows a 21% rise over the previous week, breaking the previous record of USD 68,990 set on the Coinbase platform in November 2021.
The BTC price rally is attributed to several key factors, including the entry of new bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States. These ETFs have generated growing demand, confirming bitcoin's position as a reliable store of value in global financial markets. Bitfinex analysts have issued bullish projections, predicting a conservative range of between $100,000 and $120,000 for the Bitcoin price by Q4 2024. They further suggest that the peak of the bull cycle could occur sometime in 2025, marking a milestone in total cryptocurrency market capitalisation.
The rise of bitcoin ETFs has been a significant catalyst in this price increase. To date, these financial products have accounted for approximately 75% of new Bitcoin investment, demonstrating growing institutional interest in the world's largest cryptocurrency. Experts also anticipate that bitcoin ETFs could surpass gold ETFs in assets under management within the next two years, underscoring Bitcoin's growing appeal as a diversified and lucrative asset class.
Despite the prevailing optimism, many analysts predict a bullish outlook for Bitcoin in the near future. The halving of the block reward per mined block, an event that occurs approximately every four years, is expected to further boost Bitcoin's price. This historic event, known as halving, has traditionally proven to be a catalyst for significant increases in the Bitcoin price in previous cycles. Experts believe that the combination of the deflationary impact of halving and the growing demand for Bitcoin ETFs could lead to a sustained increase in the price of the leading cryptocurrency. This bullish outlook highlights Bitcoin's potential as an attractive investment in a changing and increasingly digitised economic environment.
In conclusion, Bitcoin's new all-time high represents a significant milestone in the evolution and adoption of cryptocurrencies globally. As Bitcoin continues to gain legitimacy and acceptance in traditional financial markets, its value and relevance are likely to continue to increase in the coming years, offering new opportunities and challenges for investors and cryptocurrency enthusiasts around the world.