Bitcoin surge 2024: factors driving record highs and future predictions
What’s causing the extreme greed in Bitcoin investors in 2024? Discover the driving forces behind the market sentiments and predictions.
Since the onset of 2024, Bitcoin (BTC) has demonstrated a remarkable surge, attaining levels of market dominance and investor interest not seen in years.
On Feb. 29, BTC reached a new high of $63,544, marking its highest value since Nov. 2021. As of Mar. 1, BTC trades at around $62,000, sustaining the bullish sentiment within the market and propelling Bitcoin’s market dominance to approximately 53%.
The overall market cap of cryptocurrencies has also swelled to $2.31 trillion, with the crypto fear and greed index reaching 85.
These levels signify a period of “extreme greed” among investors, reminiscent of the sentiments observed in Nov. 2021 when BTC reached an all-time high.
Furthermore, the introduction of Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. markets and the possibility of new offerings have contributed to this bullish trend.
Notably, Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo have started offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to their clients, signaling growing mainstream acceptance of crypto ETFs.
This move could usher in an even larger wave of Bitcoin ETF introductions in the coming months, further amplifying the accessibility and appeal of Bitcoin to a broader audience.
So, what’s happening in the Bitcoin space, and how can these factors affect Bitcoin price prediction? Let’s find out.
Factors affecting Bitcoin price prediction
Several factors are under play that could affect Bitcoin future price prediction in the coming days:
Bank of America enters the race
Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo are now offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to eligible wealth management clients. These ETFs have been accessible to clients for several weeks now.
The attractiveness of such investments has even prompted some investors to reallocate their assets from gold-backed ETFs, Reuters reported.
Analysts anticipate continued institutional adoption of BTC, projecting a trajectory toward $150,000 within 18 months.
However, while Bank of America and Wells Fargo have embraced the trend, Vanguard, a prominent mutual funds provider, has opted against offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to its brokerage clients, citing market risks.
Grayscale lobbies to approve options on BTC ETFs
Grayscale Investments, a notable asset manager and the largest spot Bitcoin ETF provider by market cap is advocating for the approval of options on its spot Bitcoin ETF by the SEC.
In a letter addressed to the SEC on Feb. 28, Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein argued that a rejection of options on its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC.P) would unfairly disadvantage its shareholders.
Options confer the right to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price by a specified date, facilitating risk management and hedging strategies.
However, regulatory approval for options on new Bitcoin ETFs may be a protracted process, with potential involvement from both the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), given Bitcoin’s classification as a commodity.
Without options, investors could encounter challenges in risk management, potentially deterring their participation. Sonnenshein emphasized that options would enhance price discovery in ETF shares, aiding investors in grasping market situations and generating returns.
Biggest BTC mining company reports stable growth
Marathon Digital Holdings, the biggest player in the Bitcoin mining sector, has recently disclosed its financial and operational outcomes for the fiscal year ending Dec 31. 2023.
During the fiscal year 2023, Marathon experienced growth across various operational metrics. Notably, its energized hash rate surged by 253% to 24.7 EH/s. Furthermore, Bitcoin production saw a remarkable uptick of 210%, reaching a record of 12,852 BTC.
Additionally, the company achieved a net income of $261.2 million, a notable turnaround from the previous year’s net loss.
Fred Thiel, Marathon’s chairman and CEO, outlined the company’s future growth plans, aiming to expand its hash rate to approximately 35 to 37 exahash by 2024 and 50 exahash by the end of 2025.
In addition to its mining operations, Marathon has ventured into improving functionality within the Bitcoin ecosystem through the introduction of Anduro—a multi-chain layer-two network on Bitcoin.
Anduro aims to address scalability challenges and foster the development of decentralized applications (dapps) on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Morgan Stanley explores adding BTC ETFs to its platform
Morgan Stanley, a significant player in the U.S. broker-dealer landscape, is assessing the feasibility of offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to its clients, Coindesk reported.
Morgan Stanley’s interest in spot bitcoin ETFs aligns with its previous foray into the crypto space. In 2021, the bank became the first major U.S. financial institution to provide its affluent clients with access to Bitcoin funds.
Jonathan Pruzan, former CFO of Morgan Stanley’s wealth management arm, noted the bank’s commitment to serving its clients’ evolving needs in the digital asset space.
Bitcoin halving
The upcoming Bitcoin halving in Apr. 2024 is set to reduce the block reward from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC and is expected to impact Bitcoin’s supply and market dynamics.
Historically, halving events have been correlated with periods of bullish market activity, attributed to the reduced rate at which new Bitcoins are created, thereby tightening supply.
If demand for Bitcoin remains steady or increases, this scarcity could lead to heightened demand, potentially driving up Bitcoin’s price. Plus, the interplay of spot BTC ETFs could add more diversity into the play.
BTC price prediction: short-term view
Amid the bullish market sentiments, several Bitcoin crypto price predictions have emerged, offering a glimpse into potential short-term price movements.
An X analyst closely monitoring ETFs related to Bitcoin has observed a significant uptick in BTC inflows. January saw net inflows of 33,000 BTC, which dramatically increased to 85,000 BTC in February.
The analyst points to the GBTC seemingly exhausting its pool of sellers as a positive sign. Based on these trends, he predicts Bitcoin could reach $100,000 in Mar., although he cautions that inflows may decrease as the difficulty—or price—of Bitcoin rises.
Tom Lee, the head of research at FundStrat, has taken an even more bullish stance. Doubling down on his optimistic Bitcoin price outlook, Lee suggests that Bitcoin could soar as high as $150,000 within the year.
Meanwhile, Changelly, a cryptocurrency exchange, believes BTC could hit a new all-time high in the coming days. They predict that Bitcoin could hit $69,025 by Mar. 17, marking a 12.75% increase from its current price.
Analysts’ forecasts, while informative, are speculative in nature and should not be the sole basis for investment decisions.
You should conduct thorough research, consider a diverse range of Bitcoin forecasts, and evaluate your risk tolerance before committing to cryptocurrency investments.
Bitcoin price prediction: long-term view
Starting with a look towards the near future, the Bitcoin price prediction for 2024 shows an intriguing divergence in expectations.
DigitalCoinPrice suggests a bullish outlook, with the Bitcoin price target potentially reaching $130,174. On the other hand, Changelly presents a more conservative figure, estimating Bitcoin’s value at $90,514.
As we move a year further, the Bitcoin price prediction for 2025 continues to reflect a positive trend. According to DigitalCoinPrice, we might see Bitcoin climbing to $146,548. Changelly also shares this optimistic view, though with a slightly lower prediction of $127,740.
Looking ahead, the Bitcoin price predictions for 2030 suggest that BTC could be around or more than half a million dollars.
DigitalCoinPrice’s projection of $458,589 and Changelly’s even more ambitious forecast of $780,415 reveal a strong belief in Bitcoin’s capacity to grow.
However, amid this optimism, it’s crucial for you to tread carefully. The world of crypto is marked by its volatility, with prices influenced by a myriad of factors ranging from regulatory changes to market sentiment. Always remember the golden rule of investing: never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
FAQs
Is Bitcoin a good investment?
Bitcoin’s recent surge and growing institutional acceptance suggest it could be a promising investment. However, it’s essential to research thoroughly, consider your risk tolerance, and avoid investing more than you can afford to lose in the volatile crypto market.
Will Bitcoin go up or down?
Bitcoin’s trajectory is influenced by various factors like institutional adoption, regulatory changes, and market sentiment. While analysts offer bullish predictions for Bitcoin, its future movement remains uncertain. You should conduct due diligence and consider diverse forecasts before making decisions.
Should I invest in Bitcoin?
Investing in Bitcoin depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and understanding of the cryptocurrency market. While Bitcoin has shown potential for growth, it’s essential to weigh the risks and conduct thorough research before investing. Additionally, consider diversifying your portfolio to mitigate potential losses.
