Bitcoin to $250K in 2025 ‘Totally Possible’ – Crypto Analyst Scott Melker’s Bullish Outlook

Bitcoin’s next explosive price move could propel the flagship cryptocurrency to $250,000 by the end of 2025, according to Scott Melker, a well-known crypto analyst and host of The Wolf of All Streets podcast. Melker’s bullish forecast is grounded in several key factors, including growing institutional adoption, declining volatility, and a more mature market environment.

Institutional Adoption and Market Maturation: The Driving Forces

In a recent interview, Melker highlighted the significant shift in Bitcoin’s volatility profile as a major catalyst for its price appreciation potential. Historically, Bitcoin was known for its extreme price swings, often exhibiting volatility approximately three times that of the S&P 500. However, Melker pointed out that Bitcoin’s volatility has now decreased to less than twice that of the S&P 500, signaling a market that is stabilizing and maturing.

This reduction in volatility is largely attributed to the influx of institutional investors such as pension funds, hedge funds, and exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuers. These players tend to have longer investment horizons and larger capital bases, which dampen price fluctuations compared to retail traders and short-term speculators.

Melker explained, “The more institutional money, the more Wall Street money, the more long-term holders get involved, the less volatility there’s going to be.” This trend reflects a broader narrative of Bitcoin evolving from a speculative asset into a mainstream financial instrument embraced by long-term investors.

Crypto Market Strength in 2025: Signs of a Bullish Backdrop

The crypto market has already shown robust performance in 2025. Bitcoin surged past $104,000, while Ethereum (ETH) reclaimed levels above $2,600, signaling renewed investor confidence.

A major milestone reinforcing crypto’s integration into mainstream finance was Coinbase’s inclusion in the S&P 500 index. Notably, Coinbase entered the index ranked within the top 50 companies by market capitalization, underscoring the growing legitimacy and institutional acceptance of crypto firms.

In addition to Coinbase, other crypto companies such as Galaxy Digital and eToro have advanced with public listings, reflecting confidence in the regulatory environment under the current U.S. administration. Melker described this regulatory clarity and executive support as creating “an extremely bullish” environment for the sector.

Renewed Interest in Altcoins: Signs of New Capital Inflows

While Bitcoin remains the primary focus for many investors, Melker acknowledged a resurgence of interest in altcoins. Recent price action has seen Ethereum outperform Bitcoin, sparking rallies across smaller-cap tokens. This pattern suggests that “new money” is entering the crypto space rather than merely rotating within existing assets.

The diversification of investor interest into altcoins complements Bitcoin’s growth, potentially broadening the market’s overall upward momentum.

Wild Price Runs Are Not Unprecedented

Despite the optimism, Melker tempered expectations by noting that most experts forecast Bitcoin’s cycle highs to fall between $120,000 and $150,000. However, he cautioned that wild surges are not uncommon in the crypto market.

“From the 2020 lows to the last bull market, Bitcoin went from $3,000 to $69,000. A 2.5x from here wouldn’t be a big deal,” Melker said, emphasizing Bitcoin’s historical capacity for rapid and substantial gains.

Supporting this view, analytics account Apsk32 argued on May 16 that Bitcoin has a “decent chance” of hitting $250,000 or more in 2025, especially as attention shifts toward gold-like safe-haven dynamics.

Other Bullish Forecasts: Consensus Building Among Analysts

Melker’s bullish stance is echoed by other market experts:

• Peter Chung, head of research at quantitative trading firm Presto, reiterated his prediction that Bitcoin will reach $210,000 by the end of 2025.

• Analysts from Standard Chartered and Intellectia AI forecast that institutional demand for Bitcoin via ETFs and traders seeking macroeconomic hedges could cause Bitcoin’s price to more than double this year.

These forecasts collectively paint a picture of strong institutional tailwinds and macroeconomic factors supporting Bitcoin’s growth.

Macro and Regulatory Factors Supporting Bitcoin’s Upside

Several macroeconomic and regulatory developments underpin the bullish outlook:

• Inflation and Currency Hedging: With global inflation concerns persisting, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a hedge against currency debasement and inflationary pressures.

• Regulatory Clarity: The current U.S. administration’s relatively favorable stance on crypto innovation, coupled with paused or dropped SEC lawsuits, has reduced regulatory uncertainty.

• Technological Advances: Improvements in Bitcoin’s infrastructure, such as the Lightning Network and increased adoption of custody solutions, enhance usability and institutional appeal.

Conclusion: A Bullish Year Ahead for Bitcoin

Scott Melker’s forecast of Bitcoin reaching $250,000 by the end of 2025 is grounded in observable market trends, including reduced volatility, institutional adoption, and positive regulatory signals. While such a target remains ambitious, Bitcoin’s historical price behavior and current market dynamics lend credibility to the possibility.

As institutional participation deepens and macroeconomic uncertainties persist, Bitcoin is increasingly positioned as a digital store of value and a key component of diversified portfolios.

Investors should, however, remain mindful of inherent risks and market volatility while considering the significant upside potential.