How High Can BTC Go This Cycle? What Institutions Are Saying

By: nft evening|2025/05/14 20:15:05
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As Bitcoin BTC trades above $102,000 for the first time since March, the market is asking the most pressing question of this cycle: How high can Bitcoin go before it peaks?With macroeconomic headwinds, ETF inflows, and halving effects in full swing, predictions range from conservative to wildly optimistic. But beyond speculation, what do institutions, chart patterns, and data actually tell us about the top of this cycle?Institutional Views: From JPMorgan to Standard CharteredWall Street and crypto-native firms alike are revising their BTC forecasts upward. Earlier this year, JPMorgan released a report suggesting Bitcoin could reach $110,000 by year-end 2025, citing increasing institutional demand through spot Bitcoin ETFs and a weaker dollar environment.Meanwhile, Standard Chartered remains one of the more bullish traditional institutions. In an April note, the bank reaffirmed its target of $150,000, stating:“We see structural inflows into Bitcoin continuing, especially from sovereign wealth funds and pension managers now able to allocate through regulated ETF vehicles.”On the more extreme end, Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood reiterated her long-term projection of $1 million per BTC by 2030 but also hinted that this cycle could test $200,000 if ETF inflows maintain their current pace.According to Farside Investors, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw over $13.1 billion in net inflows since launch in January, with BlackRock’s IBIT leading the pack at over $4.8 billion. These sustained inflows, averaging more than $250 million per week – provide a robust floor for BTC and may continue fueling upside momentum.Read more: JP Morgan: Investors Prefer Gold Over Bitcoin as a Safe-HavenSource: TradingViewMoreover, Ki Young Ju – CEO CryptoQuant remains cautiously optimistic about Bitcoin’s outlook. He noted that while the market is currently “slow in digesting new liquidity,” the recent price movements suggest strong bullish momentum, largely driven by significant ETF inflows and easing selling pressure. However, he also emphasized that market signals remain mixed, with no clear indication yet of whether a profit-taking phase has firmly begun or not.Read more: CryptoQuant CEO: “A New Era for Bitcoin has Begun”On-Chain Signals: Still Room to Run?BitcoinMagazine data from May 12, 2025, shows that long-term holders are still in distribution mode, but the magnitude is moderate compared to previous peaks in 2017 and 2021. The Realized Cap HODL Waves metric, often used to visualize age-based distribution patterns, indicates that coins aged 3-6 months are rising, suggesting early-cycle accumulation is evolving into mid-cycle optimism.Source: BitcoinMagazineMeanwhile, the MVRV Z-Score, a popular indicator comparing market value to realized value, is currently hovering around 4.3 – well below the overheated threshold above 7 seen in previous cycle tops. This implies that while BTC is certainly not undervalued, it’s also not exhibiting the euphoric overextension characteristic of a blow-off top.Technical Analysis: Price Structure Suggests $120K–$140K as Next TargetsFrom a technical standpoint, Bitcoin recently broke out of a consolidation range between $86,000 and $97,000. This range had acted as resistance since the March top, and the breakout on May 10, accompanied by strong volume, suggests the next leg higher has begun.Source: TradingViewAccording to pseudonymous trader Rekt Capital, the breakout confirms a continuation pattern that resembles the 2017 cycle post-halving surge:“The consolidation structure mirrors what we saw in May 2017. If the fractal plays out similarly, $120K is the next resistance zone before BTC tests the $140K area.”Fibonacci extension levels from the November 2022 bottom ($15,600) to the March 2024 high ($73,800) place the 1.618 extension near $128,000 – a historically reliable target in parabolic cycles.CoinCodex’s algorithmic models also suggest Bitcoin may rise toward $151,000 by November 2025, despite a potential 12.35% pullback in the short term.Macro Conditions: Tailwinds, But FragileThe U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to begin cutting rates in Q3 2025, with the CME FedWatch Tool pricing in a 75% probability of a 25bps cut at the September meeting. Lower interest rates tend to benefit risk assets, including Bitcoin.Source: CME GroupAdditionally, gold’s recent surge to $2,550 per ounce, driven by central bank buying and global geopolitical instability, has renewed the narrative of Bitcoin as “digital gold.” In this climate, Bitcoin’s capped supply and resistance to inflation make it an attractive hedge.However, tail risks remain. A sudden reversal in ETF flows, tightening liquidity from Asia (particularly Hong Kong and Singapore), or U.S. regulatory crackdowns could all threaten bullish momentum. Some experts also warn that if the U.S. or EU impose strict taxation policies on crypto capital gains, or if China intensifies restrictions on stablecoin flows, it could create negative sentiment globally.Sentiment from Crypto Twitter and TradersInfluencers like CryptoKaleo and TheFlowHorse have suggested that BTC could hit between $135,000 and $160,000 before this cycle concludes, citing both macro and on-chain support. Anbessa100, a TA-focused account with over 300,000 followers, stated:“As long as we hold $98K as support, the bullish structure remains intact. There’s a high probability BTC sees a final thrust toward $140K before topping.”However, derivatives data from Coinglass shows funding rates exceeding +0.15% on several major exchanges, and long/short ratios above 68% – signs of overheated leverage that could trigger liquidations if price sharply reverses.Comparing Past CyclesHistorically, Bitcoin has peaked 12–18 months after each halving. With the most recent halving occurring in April 2024, many analysts believe the peak could arrive between Q2 and Q4 of 2025.In 2013, BTC surged ~10x post-halving; in 2017, the rally was ~20x; and in 2021, around ~6x. From the $15,600 bottom in 2022, a 6x move would place the cycle top at approximately $93,600 – already surpassed. A 10x move would imply $156,000.Still, this cycle has unique characteristics: ETF inflows, increasing nation-state interest (e.g., Argentina legalizing BTC as a payment method), and an accelerating DeFi layer on Bitcoin (e.g., Runes, Ordinals, and Layer 2s).DeFi protocols like Stacks, Bison Labs, and new Ordinals-based financial apps are turning Bitcoin into more than a store of value, potentially boosting demand for the asset itself.Retail FOMO: Hasn’t Peaked YetGoogle Trends data for “buy Bitcoin” is at 41% of its all-time high in May 2021, suggesting retail frenzy hasn’t fully returned. Likewise, Coinbase’s app is only ranked #27 in the U.S. App Store Finance category, far below its #1 peak in April 2021.Read more: Trading with Free Crypto Signals in Evening Trader ChannelThese signals hint that BTC may still have room for one final leg up – the phase often driven by retail speculation and media euphoria.However, the lack of retail-driven signals could also be interpreted in a more cautious light: Bitcoin’s rally may not yet be strong enough to sustain itself without broader participation. Historically, the final parabolic leg of a bull market is accompanied by a surge in retail euphoria and a spike in search interest, neither of which has materialized in full. This raises the possibility that BTC could face a sharp correction before any true blow-off top occurs. When expectations run ahead of actual inflows, the market often sees a shakeout to flush out excess leverage and reset support levels.ConclusionThere is no consensus answer. But based on current data, the majority of realistic projections – discounting moonshot predictions like $500K, cluster around $120K to $160K.If ETF flows remain strong, macro conditions stay favorable, and retail euphoria kicks in, a peak between $140K and $150K seems plausible. However, traders should remain alert to signs of overheating, such as MVRV over 7, parabolic RSI moves, or excessive leverage in futures markets.The post How High Can BTC Go This Cycle? What Institutions Are Saying appeared first on NFT Evening.

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Is XRP a Good Investment in 2026? Why Is It Stuck at $1.45

XRP is up 6.7% this week, but exchange reserves remain high. Is a volatility spike imminent? We analyze price trend, ETF inflows, whale activity, and regulatory catalysts to answer: will XRP go up, why is XRP dropping, and is XRP a good investment right now?

TL; DR

What is XRP: XRP is a digital asset built for fast, low-cost international payments. It runs on the XRP Ledger and is used by Ripple for its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service. Unlike Bitcoin, XRP settles transactions in 3-5 seconds with near-zero fees.Why is XRP Dropping: XRP is not actively dropping, but it is struggling to rise. On the monthly chart, XRP has seen six consecutive months of decline. Currently, the price faces an additional supply wall at $1.45. About 1.24 billion XRP were bought in that range, and those holders sell when the price approaches, creating selling pressure that prevents a recovery.Will XRP Go Up: Potentially yes. XRP is trading near $1.43 and showing its best weekly performance since September 2025. If the price breaks above the $1.45 resistance, analysts expect a move toward $1.90, supported by strong institutional demand.Is XRP a Good Investment: The answer is not simple. Short-term traders may see opportunity in the coming volatility spike. Long-term investors face a bigger question that depends on one key regulatory event. However, the data reveals a surprising signal that most retail buyers are missing right now. To understand whether XRP is a smart buy or a trap at $1.43, you will need to read the full analysis below.What is XRP? A Digital Asset for Global Settlement

Before analyzing the charts, it is crucial to understand the asset in question. What is XRP? Unlike Bitcoin, which was designed as a decentralized digital gold, XRP operates on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). It was created to facilitate fast, low-cost international payments. Traditional bank transfers take days and incur high fees. XRP transactions settle in 3-5 seconds, costing fractions of a penny.

Ripple, the company associated with XRP, uses this asset for its "On-Demand Liquidity" (ODL) service. Banks and financial institutions use ODL to source liquidity during cross-border transactions without pre-funding accounts. This utility is the primary driver for institutional interest. Recently, the network hit a milestone of over 8 million active wallets, signaling growing usage despite recent price stagnation . Furthermore, Ripple is proactively preparing for the future, releasing a four-stage roadmap to make the XRPL "quantum-resistant," aiming to secure the ledger against future quantum computing threats by 2028 .

XRP Price Analysis: The Battle for $1.45

The XRP price trend over the last month tells a story of exhaustion followed by cautious recovery. On the monthly chart, XRP experienced six consecutive months of decline. However, April shows signs of a bottoming process. Weekly charts reinforce this view: after four weeks of lower closes, the last two weeks have seen small rebounds.

According to data from April 22, 2026, XRP is trading at approximately $1.44. Over the last seven days, XRP has outperformed both Bitcoin and Ethereum, rising 6.7% while the broader market rose only 3.2%. Spot trading volume surged 23% to $3.79 billion, and derivative markets saw $40 billion in futures volume on a single day.

Despite this, the price remains 60% below its July 2025 high of $3.65. The current technical picture shows a "low volatility grind" higher. The 20-day EMA is at $1.3924, and the 50-day EMA is at $1.4119, both acting as support . However, the immediate hurdle is the $1.45 resistance level. This price point has rejected every rally attempt in 2026.

Why is XRP Dropping? And Will XRP Go Up?

The primary reason for the recent "drop" (or lack of upward momentum) is not active selling, but rather the "supply wall." Data indicates that roughly 1.24 billion XRP tokens were purchased by investors in the $1.45 to $1.47 range. These investors have been waiting months to "break even." Every time the price approaches $1.45, these holders sell to exit their positions, creating a massive wall that retail buying cannot easily absorb.

However, the underlying momentum is shifting. Analysts suggest a xrp volatility spike imminent because the absorption capacity of buyers is increasing. Historically, when exchange reserves are high but the price refuses to drop significantly, it signals that buyers are absorbing the supply. The price has held above $1.39 despite the overhang, which is a sign of relative strength.

So, will XRP go up? Yes, potentially. But it needs a catalyst, if the price closes a daily candle above $1.45. If that happens, the next targets are $1.60 to $1.65, and eventually $1.90 .

XRP Exchange Netflow and XRP ETF Netflow: A Tale of Two Markets

The current market dynamic is best understood by looking at two opposing data streams: XRP Exchange netflow and XRP ETF flows.

Exchange Dynamics (Retail / Whales):

Data shows a complex pattern of "large inflows and increasing reserves." Recently, a Ripple-associated wallet moved 75 million XRP (approx. $108 million) to Coinbase. This initially looks like a dump, but context matters. These transfers are likely to provide liquidity for Ripple’s ODL business, not necessarily spot market selling. However, the result is that exchange reserves have climbed to 2.76 billion XRP .

The Good News: While reserves are high, the rate of increase is slowing. Specifically, "whale" transfers to exchanges have dropped 98% from their April 11 peak. The Binance reserve has slightly decreased from 27.7 to 27.6 billion. The aggressive selling from large holders appears to have stopped.

Institutional Dynamics (ETF):

While whales were sending coins to exchanges, institutions were buying XRP ETF products. XRP ETF net flow is strongly positive.

US-listed XRP ETFs recorded four consecutive days of inflows totaling $38.86 million recently .The weekly inflow for mid-April hit $119.6 million, a multi-month high .Cumulative net inflows stand at $12.8 billion, with Assets Under Management (AUM) at roughly $10.8 billion.Analyzing the Divergence: Why Both Flows Are Positive

It seems contradictory that exchange reserves are high (suggesting selling) while ETFs are buying (suggesting buying). However, this phenomenon reveals the current market structure.

Different Investor Profiles: The exchange inflows likely come from short-term traders, market makers, or Ripple itself providing ODL liquidity. These are "hot" coins ready to be sold. The ETF inflows represent "sticky" capital. Institutions buying ETFs are typically long-term holders (LTHs) or asset managers who do not day-trade. They are removing liquidity from the spot market by buying through custodians.The "De-risking" Trade: Sophisticated funds might be engaging in basis trading. They buy the ETF (taking a long position) while simultaneously shorting XRP futures or selling spot inventory to capture the funding rate. This keeps the price stable while volume increases.Absorption: The most likely scenario is that the market is simply absorbing the excess supply. The fact that the price is stable ($1.43) and not collapsing to $1.20 despite 2.76 billion coins sitting on exchanges is a massive win for the bulls. The ETF inflows are acting as a sponge, soaking up the selling pressure from the ODL wallets.The Regulatory Catalyst: The SEC and the CLARITY Act

Fundamentally, the recent price action cannot be separated from regulation. For years, the primary answer was the SEC lawsuit. That narrative is dying.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently praised SEC Chair Paul Atkins as "a breath of fresh air and sanity" . This regulatory thaw is critical. The SEC is reportedly considering dropping the long-standing lawsuit, and five XRP ETF applications are awaiting review.

The major catalyst on the horizon is the CLARITY Act. A Senate markup is expected before the end of April. Standard Chartered analysts project that if the bill advances, it could unlock $4 to $8 billion in institutional flows . Polymarket gives the bill a 60-66% chance of passing in 2026. If the CLARITY Act classifies XRP as a non-security (commodity), the institutional floodgates will open, likely overwhelming the $1.45 supply wall instantly.

Is XRP a Good Investment in 2026?

Given all this data, is XRP a good investment? The answer depends entirely on your risk tolerance and time horizon.

The Bull Case (Why it is a good investment): The risk/reward ratio is asymmetrical to the upside. The price is near multi-year lows relative to its utility. Whale selling has stopped, ETF demand is rising, and the network is expanding (8 million wallets, quantum resistance roadmap). If the CLARITY Act passes, XRP could realistically trade between $1.60 and $1.80 in the short term, with a potential run to $3.00+ if the lawsuit is officially dropped.The Risk Case (Why it is NOT a good investment): There is a clear resistance wall at $1.45. If the CLARITY Act fails or is delayed past May (due to midterm election dynamics), the "buy the rumor, sell the news" dynamic could reverse. If the price fails to break $1.45 and loses support at $1.33, a drop back to $1.15 is technically possible .

Verdict: XRP is a speculative buy for traders looking for a volatility spike. It is a hold for current investors. For new investors, it is only a good investment if you believe in regulatory clarity within the next 30 days. Technically, waiting for a confirmed break above $1.55 (to avoid the fakeout) is safer than buying at $1.43.

FAQ

Q: Will XRP go up if the CLARITY Act passes?

A: Yes, historically. Analysts predict that if the CLARITY Act passes, signaling that XRP is a commodity, it would remove the regulatory overhang. This could trigger a surge in institutional buying, pushing the price from the current $1.43 range to test the $1.80 - $2.00 resistance levels quickly.

Q: Why is XRP dropping when Bitcoin is going up?

A: XRP has specific supply dynamics. Unlike Bitcoin, which has a fixed supply issuance, XRP faces periodic sell-pressure from Ripple's treasury wallets used to fund ODL (liquidity) services. Additionally, the $1.45 "break-even" wall causes XRP to drop relative to BTC when short-term traders exit.

Q: Is a volatility spike imminent for XRP?

A: Yes. The Bollinger Bands on the daily chart are squeezing. The price is stuck between support at $1.33 and resistance at $1.45. Historically, when XRP volume surges 23% in a week (as it did on April 21), it precedes a violent move. The direction depends on whether the $1.45 resistance breaks.

Q: What is the XRP ETF netflow status?

A: As of late April 2026, XRP ETFs are seeing positive netflows. The US ETFs recorded a single week inflow of $119.6 million in mid-April. Cumulative inflows are strong at $12.8 billion, indicating that institutions are accumulating during this dip, which is a long-term bullish signal for price stabilization.

Q: Is XRP a good investment for beginners?

A: XRP is less volatile than "meme coins" but more volatile than Bitcoin. For beginners, it is a moderate-risk investment. Its value is tied to real utility (bank payments). However, beginners should wait to see if the price can close a weekly candle above $1.55 before entering, to avoid buying into the current resistance wall.

Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes, or is intended to constitute, investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Always do your own research.

About WEEX

Founded in 2018, WEEX has developed into a global crypto exchange with over 6.2 million users across more than 150 countries. The platform emphasizes security, liquidity, and usability, providing over 1,200 spot trading pairs and offering up to 400x leverage in crypto futures trading. In addition to the traditional spot and derivatives markets, WEEX is expanding rapidly in the AI era — delivering real-time AI news, empowering users with AI trading tools, and exploring innovative trade-to-earn models that make intelligent trading more accessible to everyone. Its 1,000 BTC Protection Fund further strengthens asset safety and transparency, while features such as copy trading and advanced trading tools allow users to follow professional traders and experience a more efficient, intelligent trading journey.

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