Bitcoin Bullish Cycles: From Peak to Higher Peak

Overview of Cryptocurrency Bull Runs and Essential Knowledge

Since its inception in 2009, Bitcoin has experienced rapid growth phases, each setting new milestones for the cryptocurrency market. These bull runs are not accidental—they are triggered by specific events and clear market factors. Understanding these cycles will help investors anticipate potential upcoming opportunities.

Currently, (December 2025), Bitcoin is trading around $88.56K, indicating that the market still maintains positive momentum. Over the years, each bull run has had distinct characteristics, from the popularity of ICOs in 2017 to institutional adoption in 2021 and the explosion of spot ETFs in 2024.

Bitcoin Bull Run: Definition and Mechanisms

A Bitcoin bull run is defined as a period when prices increase sharply and sustainably, often supported by factors such as:

• Halving cycles: Reducing mining rewards every 4 years, creating scarcity
• Institutional acceptance: Major companies and investment funds participating
• Regulatory changes: New policies supporting cryptocurrencies
• Investor sentiment: Collective optimism and strong buying demand

Unlike traditional markets, crypto bull runs can deliver exponential returns in a short period but also come with higher volatility.

2013: When Bitcoin First Entered the Public Spotlight

In 2013, Bitcoin experienced its first price surge, rising from around $145 in May to nearly $1,200 in December—an impressive 730% increase.

Factors driving the 2013 bull run:

• First media attention
• Cyprus banking crisis increasing interest in safe assets
• Development of new infrastructure with emerging exchanges

Major challenge: The collapse of Mt. Gox exchange in early 2014 (handling about 70% of Bitcoin transactions at that time) caused a sharp correction, with prices dropping below $300, losing over 75% of their value.

2017: The Big Scale Bull Run Explosion

This was the year Bitcoin truly entered the mainstream consciousness. Prices rose from ~$1,000 at the start of the year to ~$20,000 in December—a 1,900% increase.

Main drivers:

• Initial Coin Offering (ICO): Hundreds of new projects emerged, attracting billions of USD
• Growth of new exchanges, making access easier
• Daily trading volume increased from under $200 million to over $15 billion

Outcome: From the $20,000 peak, Bitcoin’s price plummeted to ~$3,200 in December 2018 (-84%), leading to a prolonged bear market.

2020-2021: The Institutional Participation Era

This bull run was entirely different—large institutional investors entered Bitcoin for the first time.

Context:

• Price rose from ~$8,000 in early 2020 to ~$64,000 in April 2021 (+700%)
• Bitcoin reached an ATH (all-time high) of ~$69,000 at the end of 2021

Driving factors:

• Public companies like MicroStrategy, Tesla bought billions of USD worth of Bitcoin
• Approval of Bitcoin futures contracts (futures)
• The “digital gold” narrative gained popularity among institutions
• Inflation concerns due to monetary stimulus programs

Challenges:

• Environmental concerns over Bitcoin mining
• Increased regulatory scrutiny

2024-2025: Bull Run Triggered by ETFs

The current bull run is driven by specific factors:

Bitcoin Price:

• January 2024: ~$40,000
• November 2024: >$93,000 (+132%)
• Currently (December 2025): ~$88,560

Key factors:

• SEC approval of spot Bitcoin ETF (January 2024): For the first time, institutional investors can hold Bitcoin via traditional financial products
• ETF inflows: Exceeded $4.5 billion in November 2024, continuing to grow
• Fourth halving (April 2024): Reduces Bitcoin issuance rate, creating scarcity
• Crypto-friendly policies: Positive signals from lawmakers regarding Bitcoin acceptance

Important data:

• Current Bitcoin ETF funds hold over 1 million BTC in total
• BlackRock (IBIT) holds over 467,000 BTC
• MicroStrategy and other organizations continue accumulating

How to Identify an Upcoming Bull Run

Technical indicators:

• RSI exceeding 70 (strong momentum signal)
• Price breaking above 50-day and 200-day moving averages
• Uptrend confirmation

On-chain data:

• Sudden increase in wallet activity
• Stablecoin inflows into exchanges
• Bitcoin reserves decreasing on exchanges (indicating accumulation)
• Trading volume surging

Macroeconomic factors:

• Upcoming halving cycles
• Changes in interest rate policies
• Regulatory developments
• Adoption by new institutions

Tools to Prepare for the Next Bull Run

1. Self-Education

• Study historical bull runs and identify patterns
• Understand blockchain technology and Bitcoin’s role
• Follow reputable news sources

2. Develop an Investment Strategy

• Define your financial goals and risk tolerance
• Diversify your portfolio (not just Bitcoin)
• Plan clear entry and exit points

3. Choose a Secure Trading Platform

• Look for exchanges with strong security measures
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and cold storage
• Ensure good liquidity and reasonable fees

4. Protect Your Assets

• Use hardware wallets for long-term holdings
• Activate all available security features
• Keep your private keys secret

5. Monitor the Market

• Stay updated on upcoming halving events
• Track ETF inflows
• Watch for regulatory changes

6. Trade Responsibly

• Avoid impulsive decisions driven by emotions
• Use stop-loss orders (stop loss) to protect capital
• Don’t overtrade (margin trading) if you are a beginner

7. Manage Taxes

• Keep detailed records of all transactions
• Understand tax obligations in your region
• Consult professionals if needed

Events That Could Trigger the Next Bull Run

1. Bitcoin Becomes a Strategic Reserve The BITCOIN 2024 bill proposes that the U.S. Department of the Treasury buy up to 1 million BTC over 5 years. If passed, this could significantly boost global demand.

2. New Institutional Products More cryptocurrency ETFs, mutual funds, and other managed products will continue to launch.

3. Technological Advancements Reintegrating OP_CAT could enable layer-2 solutions allowing Bitcoin to process thousands of transactions per second, expanding its utility beyond store of value.

4. Clear Regulatory Framework A well-defined regulatory environment could encourage more organizations to participate.

5. Next Halving Cycle Each halving triggers bullish sentiment. Upcoming cycles will continue to be key catalysts.

Conclusion: When Will the Next Bull Run Happen?

Although no one can predict the exact timing of the next bull run, Bitcoin’s history shows they occur cyclically, often triggered by clear events.

By monitoring technical indicators, on-chain data, and macroeconomic factors, investors can position themselves better to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.

Remember:

• Bull runs always carry high risks
• Never invest money you cannot afford to lose
• Proper preparation and responsible trading are keys to success

When major events (fifth halving, approval of new ETFs, and Bitcoin becoming a national reserve ) occur, they could create significant investment opportunities. However, always keep in mind that history does not repeat exactly, and each cycle has its own surprises.