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Bitcoin tops $40K for first time in 19 months, Matrixport tips $125K in 2024

Bitcoin (BTC) has reached a significant milestone, surging above $40,000 for the first time since April 2022. This 19-month high marks a 140% year-to-date gain for the leading cryptocurrency and signals renewed confidence in the digital asset market.

This bullish momentum comes amidst a confluence of positive factors, including:

  • Increased institutional adoption: Major institutions like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs are now offering Bitcoin exposure to their clients, legitimizing the asset class and attracting fresh capital.
  • Regulatory clarity: Regulatory concerns surrounding Bitcoin are gradually easing, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approving a Bitcoin ETF.
  • Hashrate resilience: Bitcoin’s mining network, measured by hash rate, has demonstrated remarkable stability despite recent market fluctuations, indicating strong underlying fundamentals.

Further fueling the optimism is a bold prediction from Matrixport, a leading digital asset financial services firm. In a recent note, Matrixport research head Markus Thielen forecasted that Bitcoin could reach $60,000 by April 2024 and a staggering $125,000 by the end of the year.

Thielen’s prediction is based on several key observations:

  • Historically bullish post-halving periods: Bitcoin’s price has typically rallied significantly following halving events, which reduce the issuance of new coins and tighten supply. The most recent halving occurred in July 2022, and we could be witnessing the early stages of a similar upswing.
  • Technical analysis: Chart patterns suggest Bitcoin is forming a bullish continuation pattern, potentially leading to a breakout towards $60,000 and beyond.
  • Macroeconomic factors: A potential pivot by the Federal Reserve towards a dovish monetary policy could weaken the US dollar and boost the appeal of alternative assets like Bitcoin.
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While Thielen’s prediction is certainly ambitious, it highlights the growing belief that Bitcoin has entered a new phase of maturity and wider acceptance. With major institutions entering the space, regulatory hurdles easing, and underlying fundamentals strengthening, Bitcoin’s path to $125,000 may not be as far-fetched as it seems.

However, it’s crucial to remember that the cryptocurrency market remains inherently volatile. Investors should always conduct their own due diligence and exercise caution before making any investment decisions.

What does this mean for investors?

The recent surge in Bitcoin’s price presents both an opportunity and a challenge for investors. While the potential for significant gains is enticing, it’s vital to approach the market with a level head and a well-defined strategy.

Here are some key takeaways for investors:

  • Do your research: Understand Bitcoin’s fundamentals, risks, and potential rewards before investing.
  • Invest responsibly: Only allocate what you can afford to lose, and diversify your portfolio across different asset classes.
  • Stay informed: Keep up with the latest developments in the cryptocurrency market and adapt your strategy accordingly.

By following these principles, investors can navigate the exciting world of Bitcoin and potentially reap the rewards of its continued bullish run.

Whether Bitcoin reaches $125,000 in 2024 remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the digital asset is back in the spotlight, and its future appears brighter than ever.

Bitcoin (BTC) has reached the $40,000 level for the first time since late April 2022, climbing around 2% in 24 hours.

Bitcoin surged from under $39,500 to strike above $40,000 on Dec. 3 to hit a 19-month high, according to CoinGecko data.

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It also marks a new year-to-date high for Bitcoin, which is up over 140% since Jan. 1. However, its still down around 42% from its Nov. 10, 2021, all-time high of over $69,000.

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The price of Bitcoin over the last 12 months, which has gone from under $17,000. Source: CoinGecko

In a Nov. 30 note, Matrixport research head Markus Thielen predicted that Bitcoin would hit over $60,000 by April next year and $125,000 by the end of 2024.

Thielen said the last three crypto bear markets saw a following three year bull cycle and an analysis suggested “another three years of this bull market, with 2023 being the first year.”

“Historically, the years when Bitcoin mining rewards were halved were generally bullish,” Thielen explained. Bitcoin is expected to again halve — when mining rewards are cut by 50% — in mid-April 2024.

“Miners tended to hoard Bitcoin before each halving, prices increased by +200%, which would project Bitcoin reaching $125,000,” Thielen said.

Bitcoin’s price milestone comes amid speculation that a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) is set for approval in the United States soon.

In a Nov. 28 note, Standard Chartered predicted Bitcoin could fetch six figures before the end of next year due to the “earlier-than-expected introduction” of spot ETFs in the U.S.

There are 13 bidders for a spot Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. — the latest from Swiss asset manager Pando Asset, which filed on Nov. 29. All are pending approval with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and including BlackRock and Grayscale, have met with the agency to hash out details of their ETFs.

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Bloomberg ETF analysts have 90% odds that all pending ETF bids will be be approved simultaneously by Jan. 10.

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