Bitcoin is holding at $116,830 as widespread adoption is taking place strongly in the United States. Sheetz, a popular convenience store chain with many branches across several states, is offering a 50% discount for all purchases from 3 PM to 7 PM when paying with cryptocurrency through Flexa.
The 'Crypto Crave & Save' promotion is designed to encourage people to spend real cryptocurrency in the real world, with payments instantly converted to fiat currency to protect sellers from volatility.
It's spreading. Steak 'n Shake just reported that they saved 50% on payment fees by using Bitcoin instead of credit cards. This is a sign that US businesses are starting to view digital assets not just as an investment but also as a useful payment tool.
The Regulatory Differences Between the US and EU
Across the Atlantic, the European Banking Authority has finalized a draft regulation imposing a 1,250% risk weight for 'unsecured' cryptocurrency assets like Bitcoin, meaning EU banks will need €12.5 million in capital for every €1 million held in BTC.
Although this measure may limit exposure to cryptocurrencies in Europe, it also formalizes Bitcoin's position in the financial system, a step that analysts suggest could strengthen long-term adoption.
On the contrary, the policy of the United States is going in the opposite direction. President Donald Trump has announced a plan allowing cryptocurrencies to participate in 401(k) retirement programs, opening the door to a $9 trillion market.
Ether rose 4% following this news, and stocks related to cryptocurrency also increased, with Coinbase rising 3%, Galaxy Digital up 6%, and Bitmine Immersion up 8%. Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz called this a 'milestone' for the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.
The Technical Indicators of Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Show Continued Bullish Trends
In terms of charting, Bitcoin is still in a bullish flag pattern, which has been reinforced since the peak at the end of July of $123,255. The lower limit of this pattern aligns with the upward trend line from April and the 50-day SMA at $113,154—a crucial support confluence that has attracted ongoing buying interest.
The upward momentum is turning positive, with the daily RSI at 54 after bouncing back from the previously oversold region. Protecting the Fibonacci retracement level of 0.382 at $113,682 has reinforced the bullish potential. A breakout above $117,350 could open the way back to $123,255, with subsequent targets of $126,981 and $131,574.
However, if it fails to surpass the $113,150 mark, short-term sentiment may turn cautious, with price levels of $110,725 and $107,768. Traders looking for entry points may wait for a strong bullish move above $117,350 to confirm a breakout.
Bitcoin Price Outlook for Q4
The combination of increasing retail adoption, favorable policy changes in the United States, and supportive technical structure gives Bitcoin a bullish trend as it enters Q4.
If the bullish flag points upwards, it may signal the beginning of a new bullish phase, potentially paving the way for the projected price range of $250,000–$500,000 that some analysts are targeting for 2025.
With the demand from both organizations and individuals converging, the current consolidation process of BTC may not be a pause but rather a new advance.