Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin’s Institutional Push Drives VanEck’s Bold $180K Target

VanEck, a prominent player in the digital asset space, has reaffirmed its year-end price target for Bitcoin (BTC) at $180,000, citing strong institutional adoption and favorable macroeconomic conditions. This forecast, outlined in the firm’s mid-August 2025 Bitcoin ChainCheck report, builds on BTC’s performance in the first half of 2025, during which it reached a peak of $124,000 before consolidating at levels above the previous all-time high of $123,838. The firm attributes this resilience to renewed speculative appetite and robust inflows into Bitcoin-related products, including exchange-traded products (ETPs) and Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs).

On-chain data underscores Bitcoin’s growing dominance and utility. While its market share dipped slightly from 64.5% in early July to 59.7% by mid-August, the network processed 12.9 million transactions per month—the highest since November 2024. Median transaction fees fell to 421 sats, a decline attributed to a reduction in ordinal inscription activity. Meanwhile, options markets reflected a bullish trend, with the call/put ratio rising to 3.21x, the highest since June 2024. Total option premiums reached $1.1 billion in the past 30 days, signaling a potential for volatility spikes as investors return from summer breaks.

The mining sector, too, showed signs of strength. Bitcoin’s hashrate hit 902 exahashes per second (EH/s) in August, up 47% year-over-year. Revenue per EH/s reached $59.4K, the highest since December 2024. While some miners, such as CoreWeave and Cleanspark, saw significant increases in hashrate, others, like Cine (CIFR), struggled with cost and AI/HPC integration challenges. U.S. miners now command 31.5% of the global hashrate, a record high and a testament to the country’s growing influence in Bitcoin mining.

Institutional flows continue to shape the BTC landscape. Public Bitcoin treasuries now hold 951,000 BTC, with MicroStrategy (MSTR) leading the way at a 1.63x equity-to-BTC ratio. However, mNAV (modified net asset value) compression in DATs, particularly for MSTR, MTPLF, and SMLR, has been a drag in July. The firm noted that low volatility has constrained the ability of DATs to raise capital through convertible debt and equity issuance, which may continue to pressure mNAV growth. Notably, BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF recorded a $114.4 million daily inflow on August 16, a significant indicator of institutional interest and demand.

Looking ahead, VanEck highlighted intertwined risks and opportunities in the remainder of 2025. These include the potential for volatility spikes due to large options positions and the impact of macroeconomic developments, such as Federal Reserve policy shifts. Despite these uncertainties, VanEck remains confident in its $180,000 price target for year-end, underpinned by the maturation of Bitcoin as a digital asset and its increasing integration into traditional financial portfolios.

Bitcoin’s growing institutional adoption is also reflected in its global market position. It now ranks above tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta, with a market cap exceeding $150 billion. This shift is attributed to regulatory clarity, such as the U.S. SEC’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, and supportive policy moves, including the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve established under the Trump administration. These developments have positioned Bitcoin as a legitimate store of value and a hedge against inflation, further cementing its role in mainstream finance.

Source:

[1] VanEck Mid-August 2025 Bitcoin ChainCheck (https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/digital-assets/matthew-sigel-vaneck-mid-august-2025-bitcoin-chaincheck/)

[2] VanEck Reiterates Bitcoin Target of $180k Before End ... (https://coinpedia.org/price-analysis/vaneck-reiterates-bitcoin-target-of-180k-before-end-of-2025/)

[3] BlackRock Bitcoin Spot ETF Sees $114.4 Million Daily Inflow (https://blockchain.news/flashnews/blackrock-bitcoin-spot-etf-sees-114-4-million-daily-inflow-btc-flow-update-for-traders)

[4] Bitcoin Overtakes Google, Amazon, and Meta (https://coinfomania.com/bitcoin-overtakes-google-amazon-and-meta/)

[5] Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, XRP Slide As Crypto ... (https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47200095/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-xrp-slide-as-crypto-liquidations-top-500-million-analyst-says-this-is-what-is-in-store-for-btc-in-the-current-quarter)