Bitcoin's $100,000 Threshold Holds as Institutional Inflows Reshape Market Dynamics

CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju has declared that Bitcoin’s once-predictable boom-and-bust cycles are becoming increasingly irrelevant. This sentiment comes as Bitcoin’s price holds above the $100,000 threshold, driven by institutional interest and macroeconomic factors. Ju admitted that his earlier prediction that Bitcoin’s bull cycle had ended two months ago was incorrect. He noted that Bitcoin selling pressure is easing, and massive inflows are coming through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Traditional finance (TradFi) players, such as ETFs and institutional investors, are injecting new dynamics into the digital asset market. Historically, on-chain analysts tracked miner reserves, whale movements, and retail inflows to identify cycle tops. However, these indicators are now blurring in relevance as institutions like Strategy, which holds 555,450 BTC, are rewriting the script with long-term accumulation strategies and sustained conviction.

The entry of spot Bitcoin ETFs and rising allocations from global TradFi players are forcing analysts to revise their assessments of liquidity flows. This structural shift has further destabilized traditional cycle narratives, a perspective echoed by Ju. He stated that it is more important to focus on how much new liquidity is coming from institutions and ETFs rather than worrying about old whales selling.

Despite the changing landscape, Ju insists that on-chain data retains analytical value. He cites the Signal 365 MA chart as a long-term barometer, which tracks Bitcoin’s price deviation from its 365-day moving average. However, even this model, which once accurately framed cyclical extremes, now struggles amid newer variables and shows signs of recalibration.

Beyond chart signals, macro forces also accelerate Bitcoin’s fusion with TradFi. Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a hedge against US Treasury risk and fiat debasement, a sentiment echoed in traditional asset management circles. The Bitcoin market no longer fits into the old cyclical box, and analysts may be compelled to adjust their frameworks with ETF inflows, institutional reserves, and TradFi’s growing footprint.

Ju concluded that just because he was wrong doesn’t mean on-chain data is useless. He emphasized that data is just data, and perspectives vary. He committed to providing higher-quality analyses in the future. This perspective suggests that the Bitcoin market is maturing, and with TradFi progressively taking the reins, the playbook is being rewritten in real time.