VanEck expects Bitcoin to reach $180,000 by the first quarter of 2025 in a double-peak bull market

VanEck predicted significant developments for the crypto industry in 2025, ranging from a dual-peak bull market to the US adopting Bitcoin as a strategic reserve.

The company’s 2025 outlook report envisions milestones that could redefine the role of digital assets in global finance, driven by regulatory clarity and institutional momentum.

Bull market peaks and US strategic takeover

VanEck predicts a double-peak bull market, with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) hitting new highs in the first quarter before a mid-year consolidation. Additionally, a recovery in the fourth quarter is expected to see both assets surpass their previous highs.

The company expects Bitcoin to reach $180,000, Ethereum to reach $6,000, and projects like Solana (SOL) and Sui to reach $500 and $10, respectively. The report also predicts a sea change in US policy towards cryptocurrencies.

Under the Trump administration, crypto-friendly leaders are poised to integrate Bitcoin into strategic reserves at the federal and state levels. States like Texas and Florida could build Bitcoin holdings independently, while federal initiatives could use the Treasury Department’s Exchange Rate Stabilization Fund.

Regulatory clarity is expected to attract global developers and increase the US share of crypto talent from 19% to 25%. The company also predicted that the US share of the global Bitcoin mining hash rate would rise to 35%, supported by regulatory clarity and cheap energy.

VanEck also predicts a 43% increase in corporate Bitcoin holdings, with publicly traded companies surpassing 1.1 million BTC, surpassing Bitcoin inventor Satoshi Nakamoto’s estimated holdings. The company believes this trend will solidify America’s leadership in the global Bitcoin economy.

DeFi, tokenized securities and NFT revival

DeFi is poised for record-breaking growth: DEX trading volume is expected to reach $4 trillion and total value is rising back to $200 billion.

Ethereum’s role as a settlement layer is strengthening as its blob space fees generate $1 billion by year-end, driven by Layer 2 rollups and high-value applications such as tokenized securities.

Tokenized securities, an emerging asset class, are expected to be worth over $50 billion as blockchain technology streamlines equity and debt issuance. VanEck predicted that platforms like Coinbase could even tokenize their own stocks, setting a new standard for on-chain financial instruments.

The NFT market, which has suffered significant declines in recent years, is expected to recover to a trading volume of $30 billion. VanEck attributes this resurgence to the growing cultural significance of established collections like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club, as well as the transformation of innovative projects like Pudgy Penguins into consumer brands.

VanEck’s predictions anticipate a year of change as regulatory advancement, technological innovation and institutional adoption converge to shape the future of digital assets. The company’s findings highlight the accelerated integration of cryptocurrencies into global finance and culture, positioning 2025 as a pivotal year for the industry.

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