According to some crypto analysts, the future of the world's first cryptocurrency appears predictable and, to some extent, boring. Experts believe that Bitcoin's use in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) hasn't necessarily done it any favors.
Still, there are some positives for BTC in the ETF space: the flagship asset has become less volatile. However, the leading digital currency has lost its unpredictability and now mostly trades within a relatively stable range.
Bitcoin began Monday, July 28, with sideways movement, hovering around $119,010. It was trading at $119,359 at one point, hitting an intraday high of $119,819. Over the past 24 hours, the lowest price recorded was $117,900.
Many experts are convinced that Bitcoin's dynamics before and after the launch of ETFs differ significantly. The first cryptocurrency has indeed undergone major changes. "ETFs have turned Bitcoin into a boring giant," said Mitchell Askew, an analyst at Blockware. According to him, Bitcoin looks like "two completely different assets" before and after its inclusion in exchange-traded funds.
Askew believes the era of parabolic bull runs and devastating bear markets for BTC is long gone. "Bitcoin's future looks incredible: over the next decade, it will gradually climb toward $1 million, oscillating between phases of growth and consolidation," the expert claims.
Bitcoin's new reality: volatility gives way to stability
The changes in Bitcoin's behavior are hard to interpret in a single light. On one hand, reduced volatility puts BTC in the same league as top global currencies and securities. On the other hand, Bitcoin risks losing its unique appeal—its financial "spark"—becoming more predictable for market participants.
Eric Balchunas, an ETF analyst at Bloomberg, agrees with Askew's assessment. Supporting his view, Balchunas cited impressive figures: since BlackRock filed for a Bitcoin ETF, the cryptocurrency has surged by 250%, while its volatility has sharply declined. This new level of stability has attracted major institutional investors, benefiting the flagship digital asset. As a result, Bitcoin now stands a real chance of achieving the status of a global currency.
Are short-term investors losing interest in Bitcoin?
The new reality for BTC is unlikely to satisfy short-term investors. Experts believe they may exit the market entirely or shift their capital from BTC to other assets. Askew admits that Bitcoin's new growth model could "bore everyone to death." Instead of sharp price spikes and crashes, investors may now see a more measured upward trend with occasional pullbacks, he emphasizes.
This point of view echoes a recent statement by Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise. He described Bitcoin's four-year halving cycle as "dead," predicting that 2026 will mark a new era of growth for Bitcoin and a break from traditional cyclical behavior.
Bitcoin headed for a drop to $110,000?
Analysts at BRN foresee a potential sharp decline in Bitcoin, possibly down to $110,000 in the near future. Such a correction, they warn, could happen soon.
This view is supported by analysts at CryptoQuant and Bitwise. They argue that Bitcoin's traditional cycle theory is no longer valid, as the cryptocurrency has entered a new phase of development. Bitwise analysts believe that the forces behind the four-year BTC cycles have significantly weakened under current conditions.
As for the predicted drop below $110,000—potentially by August 8—Bloomberg reports that a major investor has placed a large bet on this scenario. The notional value of this option exceeds $550 million, possibly making it one of the largest Bitcoin-related trades ever, according to experts.
Ethereum's rally sparks extreme euphoria. Correction ahead?
Ethereum's recent rally has stirred a surge of interest in the second-largest cryptocurrency. This spike in investor enthusiasm has reached a level of "extreme euphoria," indicating a potential correction ahead.
Meanwhile, Lido Finance, which previously dominated the Ethereum staking market, has seen its share drop to 25%—its lowest level in three years, according to specialists.
Nevertheless, conflicting trends haven't prevented a massive capital influx into cryptocurrencies. According to JPMorgan analysts, crypto inflows have reached $60 billion since the beginning of 2025—up nearly 50% since the end of May. This capital surge could continue, potentially surpassing last year's record. The main sources of this inflow remain crypto funds, the CME futures market, and venture capital investments.
