The face of the cryptocurrency market is evolving rapidly. On one side, individuals clinging to every satoshi. On the other, institutions ready to commit colossal sums. However, the price of Bitcoin does not always follow the same trajectory for these two groups. In Dubai, during the Cointelegraph LONGITUDE panel, major players sounded the alarm. According to them, soon, only the largest wallets will be able to afford a bitcoin.
In brief
Institutions are buying bitcoin massively, driving prices to levels inaccessible for individuals.
Bitcoin is now seen as a geopolitical hedge, even by some governments.
In the long run, a bitcoin could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or even become an asset reserved for states.
When giants enter the bitcoin ring
First, the rise of institutional buying raises questions. Will bitcoin reach one million dollars as predicted by someone close to Satoshi? Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1inch, issued a sharp warning: “Every retail investor should consider obtaining at least one bitcoin – very soon, they will no longer be able to afford it.”
Individuals, already pressed by their daily obligations, lack time to accumulate crypto at a sustained pace.
However, it is the growing adoption by exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that captures the spotlight. Just during the week of April 21 to 25, these ETFs recorded more than 3 billion dollars in inflows.
This massive flow clearly illustrates the growing confidence of institutions in “digital gold,” especially during times of macroeconomic uncertainty. Consequently, the price pressure was felt well before individuals could react.
Furthermore, the geopolitical hedge offered by bitcoin appeals to major investors. During the same panel, Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, stated that Bitcoin remains the only true protection against inflation and international trade frictions.
When Donald Trump announced drastic tariffs in April, the price of bitcoin soared, proving how much cryptocur