Bitcoin's Ascent: ETFs and Macro Catalysts Propel Price Towards New Highs

Bitcoin is experiencing a significant surge, pushing towards new all-time highs, fueled by robust exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows and various macroeconomic catalysts. Despite a recent pause in ETF inflows and a defensive stance from some traders, analysts remain overwhelmingly bullish, predicting substantial price appreciation in the coming months.
Bitcoin's Bullish Momentum and Price Targets
Standard Chartered, a global bank, has reiterated its highly optimistic forecast for Bitcoin, projecting it to reach $135,000 by the end of the third quarter and an impressive $200,000 by year-end. This bullish outlook is primarily driven by:
- Strong ETF Inflows: Spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen substantial capital inflows, with Standard Chartered expecting this trend to accelerate.
- Corporate Treasury Adoption: Increasing corporate buying of Bitcoin is providing significant structural support.
- Defying Halving Cycles: Unlike previous cycles where prices typically fell 18 months post-halving, new drivers like ETF and corporate buying are expected to counteract this historical pattern.
Standard Chartered even anticipates Bitcoin could hit $500,000 by 2028, underscoring long-term confidence.
ETF Dynamics and Trader Sentiment
While the overall sentiment remains positive, there have been recent shifts in ETF flows and trader behavior:
- End of Inflow Streak: After a remarkable 15-day streak of inflows, US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $342.3 million in outflows, marking a temporary pause.
- Defensive Stance: This outflow, coupled with muted futures activity, suggests some traders are adopting a more defensive,
Sources
- Bitcoin Halving Cycle Won’t Hurt Prices In 2025, SC Says, Cointelegraph.
- Bitcoin Price Stuck in Range as BTC Traders Adopt “Wait-and-See” Strategy, Cointelegraph.
- Big Beautiful Bill, $5T Debt Ceiling To Benefit BTC price?, Cointelegraph.
- Bitcoin’s ‘Super-Majority’ HODLing $1.2T Unrealized Gains, Cointelegraph.
- BTC Price Target of $200K Still in Play, Driven by ETFs, Corporate Treasuries: StanChart, CoinDesk.