Bitcoin hits lifetime high at $122,600 amid ETF frenzy; is it a good time to invest?

Bitcoin continued gains on Monday as it reached an all-time high of $122,600 in early Asian trading on July 14, 2025, up a 55 per cent rise from its April lows. The rally follows in the wake of massive institutional flows, ETF traction, and a series of pro-crypto policy cues from the United States.

The cryptocurrency’s sharp rise has propelled its market capitalisation to $2.38 trillion, with 24-hour trading volumes jumping 19 per cent to $54.4 billion, data shows.

Jeff Mei, COO of BTSE, said, “We believe that Bitcoin’s surge is driven by longer-term institutional buyers, and this will propel it to $125,000 in the next month or two.”

'Crypto Week' in America adds to regulatory optimism

Coinciding with the rally is Crypto Week in the United States, a key event where Congress is debating game-changing bills like the Genesis Act and Clarity Act—both aimed at streamlining crypto and stablecoin regulation. President Donald Trump, who earlier this year ordered the creation of a crypto strategic reserve, has publicly positioned himself as a “crypto president”, backing broader digital asset adoption.

Adding to the euphoria, Trump Media & Technology Group has filed for a multi-token ETF, with Bitcoin expected to be a central component.

Retail, corporate and global sentiment all bullish

Bitcoin’s upward momentum isn’t restricted to institutional interest. Retail activity is peaking, with social platforms like Stocktwits and Reddit seeing all-time high engagement.

Corporates, too, are joining in. Japanese hospitality firm Metaplanet recently bought 797 Bitcoins, raising its total holdings to 16,352 BTC, making it the fifth-largest corporate holder globally.

India plays catch-up, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities show action

India’s crypto ownership rate stands at 6.5 per cent, lagging behind UAE (27%), Vietnam (21%), and the US (15%). However, exchanges are witnessing a noticeable pickup in volumes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, signaling grassroots-level traction.

Bitcoin vs other asset classes (YTD 2025)

• Bitcoin: +25.7%

• Nifty 50: +12.7%

• Gold: +9.5%

• 1-Year Return: Bitcoin +58%, Ethereum –13%

Ethereum has underperformed this cycle, trading 13 per cent lower year-on-year, while Bitcoin has more than doubled investor wealth from 2024 levels.

Market Outlook

With options open interest piling up at $120K, $140K, and $150K, traders are betting on further upside. Analysts believe that if Bitcoin sustains above the $120K mark, the next leg of the rally could take it towards $135K–$140K in the coming weeks.

While short-term volatility cannot be ruled out, especially amid escalating US trade tensions, the broader consensus is clear: institutional conviction is driving crypto into a new era of mainstream adoption.