Bitcoin’s bullish momentum in 2025 has reignited predictions of a six-figure price tag, with crypto analyst Scott Melker claiming that a surge to $250,000 is “totally possible.” Supported by rising institutional adoption, declining volatility, and a strengthening regulatory environment, Melker and others see a compelling case for an explosive move in the coming months.
Institutional Adoption Reshaping Bitcoin’s Trajectory
Scott Melker, host of The Wolf of All Streets podcast, believes institutional players are reshaping the Bitcoin landscape. He points to growing involvement from pension funds, ETF issuers, and publicly listed crypto firms as signs of a maturing asset class.
Melker highlights that Bitcoin’s volatility—once three times higher than the S&P 500—is now less than twice as volatile. This decreasing volatility signals increased participation from long-term investors, especially from Wall Street. “The more institutional money, the more long-term holders get involved, the less volatility there’s going to be,” Melker said in a recent interview.
With institutions taking long positions and regulatory clarity improving, the ecosystem appears more resilient than in previous cycles. This fundamental shift could underpin a sustained bull market.
Market Milestones Boosting Sentiment in 2025
Crypto markets have shown robust signs of strength in early 2025. Bitcoin recently surged past $104,000, while Ethereum reclaimed levels above $2,600. This resurgence in major cryptocurrencies suggests renewed investor confidence.
A major symbolic win came with Coinbase being added to the S&P 500 — not merely as an entry, but as a top 50 constituent by market cap. Melker cites this as evidence that crypto is no longer a fringe industry but increasingly embedded within mainstream financial systems.
Similarly, firms like Galaxy Digital and eToro moving forward with public listings reflect optimism in regulatory environments, especially under the current US administration. Dropped SEC lawsuits and favourable executive orders have created what Melker describes as “an extremely bullish” backdrop.
Analysts Weigh In: $250K Not Out of Reach
While $250,000 remains an ambitious target, Melker isn’t alone in his outlook. X analytics account Apsk32 recently commented that Bitcoin has a “decent chance” of hitting or exceeding that level in 2025, drawing comparisons to gold-like price movements.
Peter Chung, head of research at quantitative trading firm Presto
Peter Chung, head of research at quantitative trading firm Presto, reiterated his forecast of $210,000 for Bitcoin by the end of 2025. Analysts at Standard Chartered and Intellectia AI also believe that increasing demand from ETFs and traders hedging against macroeconomic risk could more than double Bitcoin’s price this year.
Melker adds historical context to support such growth: from 2020 to the peak of the last bull market, Bitcoin climbed from $3,000 to $69,000 — a more than 20x gain. By comparison, a 2.5x surge from today’s levels “wouldn’t be a big deal,” he said.
Altcoin Rally Signals Inflow of New Capital
Beyond Bitcoin, the broader crypto market has shown signs of revitalisation. Ethereum has recently outpaced Bitcoin in price performance, and altcoins are beginning to follow. According to Melker, this signals an influx of “new money” into the space rather than internal capital rotation.
This trend indicates growing investor appetite for high-risk, high-reward assets — a hallmark of early bull markets. With capital inflows extending beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, the altcoin space could see outsized gains in the months ahead.
While predictions of Bitcoin reaching $250,000 in 2025 may seem bold, the groundwork appears to be in place. Institutional adoption, regulatory improvements, declining volatility, and rising market confidence all support a strong bullish case. Although most analysts foresee more conservative cycle highs between $120,000 and $150,000, the inherently volatile nature of crypto means that wild price runs — as seen in previous cycles — can’t be ruled out. Whether or not Bitcoin hits the $250K mark, one thing is clear: the market is gearing up for a potentially historic year.
