Bitcoin has just reached a new all-time high of $111,456, confirming what many had speculated, which is that institutions are back in, and this time, they’re going bigger.
The narrative is shifting from aggressive ETF inflows to national reserve debates. But is this momentum sustainable?
While some technicals suggest a short-term cooldown might be due, the macro picture is telling a very different story. Here’s a look at how institutional appetite and political support are combining to fuel Bitcoin’s latest breakout.
Institutional Buying Powers the Push Past $111,000
Bitcoin has officially broken through its previous ceiling, marking a historic moment as it surged past $111,000 on 22 May 2025. But this isn’t just another retail-driven rally. Behind this surge lies an increasingly dominant force, which is institutional capital.
In just two days of trading, US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs absorbed close to $1 billion in inflows. At the centre of this is BlackRock, which has now amassed over 636,000 BTC, placing it second only to Satoshi Nakamoto in total holdings.
With each new dollar entering IBIT, BlackRock is quietly securing more of the circulating supply, fundamentally shifting the dynamics of Bitcoin ownership.
Bitpanda CEO Eric Demuth described this phase as a transition point, Bitcoin is no longer a fringe bet but a financial cornerstone. He’s not alone in this view.
Corporations like MicroStrategy and MARA Holdings have also been accumulating, echoing a growing institutional consensus that Bitcoin belongs on balance sheets.
Perhaps the boldest recent move came from Metaplanet, a Japanese firm that acquired 1,004 BTC in a single day, following an earlier purchase of 555 BTC.
They now hold over 7,800 BTC, nearly 80% of their 2025 target. The company’s stock price has mirrored Bitcoin’s trajectory, surging 57% in a week and gaining attention across both retail and institutional desks.
This trend of buying has done more than push the price higher. It has tightened supply, heightened speculation, and re-ignited talk of Bitcoin becoming the modern equivalent of digital gold.
Even traditional analysts are starting to notice Bitcoin’s price movements diverging from risk assets like US equities and behaving more like a haven during times of economic stress.
Policy Shifts, Macro Uncertainty, and a Bullish Forecast from Peter Brandt
What’s happening on the charts is important, but what’s happening behind the scenes might be even more significant. While price action catches headlines, macroeconomic and political shifts are laying the groundwork for Bitcoin’s long-term legitimacy.
Let’s start with the US fiscal situation. The national debt is inching towards $36 trillion, and unless drastic reforms are enacted, projections suggest it could hit 120% of GDP within a decade.
That’s pushed many investors to reconsider fiat exposure altogether, particularly as borrowing costs rise and political gridlock stalls meaningful reform.
It’s this context that makes recent political support for Bitcoin so notable. Senator Cynthia Lummis has openly endorsed the Genius Act, a policy proposal advocating for the modernisation of US gold reserves by incorporating Bitcoin.
Her remarks reflect growing political will to integrate digital assets into national economic frameworks, signalling a major shift in sentiment at the legislative level.
Meanwhile, MacroScope analysts have highlighted how Bitcoin has outperformed gold since March, positioning itself not just as a speculative play but as a viable hedge in turbulent markets.
With gold trading at $3,312 per ounce and Bitcoin surpassing $111k, the correlation between these two assets is growing more evident, suggesting that investors are beginning to see Bitcoin as a haven rather than a high-risk bet.
In Japan, rising bond yields have further stoked demand for alternative stores of value. Yields on 30- and 40-year government bonds have hit 3.14% and 3.6% respectively, numbers not seen in decades, raising alarms over long-term sovereign debt sustainability. For many, Bitcoin presents a more attractive alternative.
The optimism isn’t limited to policymakers or institutions. Veteran trader Peter Brandt recently chimed in with his bullish forecast.
In a tweet, he celebrated the new ATH but reminded followers that in bull markets, all-time highs are just part of the journey, not the end point.
He believes Bitcoin could reach $125,000 to $150,000 by the end of August, with even higher targets possible if current momentum continues.
However, he also noted the RSI is entering overbought territory, suggesting a short-term correction may be on the cards. As long as the price remains above $105,000, the broader uptrend remains intact.
Conclusion
Bitcoin’s new all-time high didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of months of steady accumulation by institutions, supportive macro conditions, and growing political acceptance.
While short-term corrections are likely, the bigger picture suggests a new chapter in Bitcoin’s adoption is unfolding.
With sovereign wealth, corporate balance sheets, and ETF inflows all moving in sync, Bitcoin appears poised not just for higher prices but for deeper integration into the global financial system.