Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin's $150k Target Sparks Debate as Optimism Battles Geopolitical Risks

The recent cryptocurrency market turmoil, which saw Bitcoin (BTC) plunge from $125,000 to $111,000 on October 10, has sparked renewed debate about the asset's trajectory. Amid the chaos, prominent analyst Ash Crypto-known for accurately forecasting the crash-has made a bold prediction: Bitcoin could surge to $150,000 by the end of 2025, driven by a post-correction rally and favorable macroeconomic conditions .

Ash's forecast hinges on a "pump-then-dump" scenario he outlined on October 1, warning of a sharp sell-off to eliminate overleveraged investors . "When fear peaks, strong buyers usually step in," he explained, suggesting that the recent drop served as a necessary purge for the market. He anticipates a reversal in the final ten days of October, with Bitcoin forming "parabolic candles" that could propel it to $150,000 by year-end . Ethereum (ETH) is also in his crosshairs, with a target of $8,000.

The crash, which erased $19 billion in value within hours, aligns with Ash's earlier warnings. The sell-off followed a mix of geopolitical tensions-including U.S.-China tariff threats-and technical indicators pointing to a market reset . Over $600 million in leveraged positions were liquidated, with Ethereum accounting for $235 million of that total . Despite the volatility, Ash remains optimistic, citing institutional interest, potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, and a shift in retail sentiment as key drivers for a Q4 rebound .

Market reactions to Ash's prediction are mixed. While some investors remain skeptical, others acknowledge the historical precedent for October bullishness. Bitcoin has historically delivered positive returns in October 73% of the time, averaging 29% gains . Analysts at Matrixport note that ETF inflows and institutional adoption could further fuel the rally, though they caution that liquidity constraints and geopolitical risks remain .

The potential for a "parabolic" move has also reignited discussions about an altcoin season. Ash predicts that a Bitcoin surge could trigger a broader rally, with Ethereum and mid-to-low-cap altcoins seeing gains of 10x to 50x within months . However, not all experts are bullish. Bitget's Vugar Usi Zade argues that a broad altcoin season is unlikely, with traders instead focusing on narrower trends or Bitcoin itself .

Historical parallels add context to Ash's forecast. The analyst drew a comparison to the 18th-century South Sea Bubble, where panic was followed by strategic buying opportunities as fear subsided . Similarly, the current market correction could mirror past cycles where volatility led to explosive gains.

Despite the optimism, risks persist. The crypto market's correlation with global equities means renewed tariff fears or economic downturns could derail the rally . Additionally, leveraged traders remain vulnerable to further liquidations should Bitcoin retest support levels.

[1] Analyst Predicts Bitcoin Could Hit 150k by Year End - CoinBuzzNow (https://coinbuzznow.com/news/ash-crypto-forecast-bitcoin-150k-q4-2025/)

[2] Uptober 2025 Forecast: Top Analyst Predicts Early Dip Before ... (https://coinpedia.org/news/uptober-2025-forecast-top-analyst-predicts-early-dip-before-bitcoin-ethereum-rally/)

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[4] Bitcoin ATH Sets Stage for Ethereum and Altcoin Rally in Q4, 2025 (https://blockchainreporter.net/bitcoin-ath-sets-stage-for-ethereum-and-altcoin-rally-in-q4-2025/)

[5] Ether Prices Plunge 20% To $3,500 As Tariff Fears Roil ... (https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/10/10/ether-prices-plunge-20-to-3500-as-tariff-fears-roil-markets/)

[6] Ethereum (ETH) Price News: Plunges 7% as Crypto Carnage (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/10/10/ether-s-7-plunge-leads-crypto-liquidations-in-usd600m-carnage)

[10] Altcoin Season Is Coming... But Only If Bitcoin Does ... (https://blocknews.com/altcoin-season-is-coming-but-only-if-bitcoin-does-this-first/)

[11] Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025: If BTC Hits $150K, Could AlphaPepe ... (https://www.cryptopolitan.com/2025-if-btc-hits-150k-could-alphapepe-deliver-100-returns/)