Prices just hit an all-time high, even with trade tensions heating up in the background
Bitcoin Breaks $112K: YTD Rally Hits 20% in 2025
Source: TradingView. All indices are total return in US dollars. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Data as of 11 July 2025.
Bitcoin has gained nearly 20% year-to-date, breaking out past $112,000 on July 9 amid rising institutional interest and broader risk-on sentiment. As of July 11, it’s trading around $117,745.
So, here’s the quick story: on July 9, Bitcoin finally broke past $112,000 for the first time ever. It jumped around 3% in one session and has gained nearly 20% since the start of the year. For anyone tracking crypto or broader markets, this was a big deal – especially since it happened during a week when Trump was making headlines about new tariffs and global trade friction.
Why now?
A couple of things came together. First, we’ve seen a wave of momentum from tech stocks, especially Nvidia, which briefly hit a $4 trillion market cap. Risk appetite was high, and crypto seemed to benefit from that. Second, a lot of institutions and funds have been piling into Bitcoin recently. July alone saw over $1 billion flow into spot Bitcoin ETFs, which is a pretty huge amount.
Also, trading activity helped push it higher. As BTC climbed past key levels, short sellers got squeezed out – about $200-280 million in Bitcoin shorts were liquidated. kind of forced buying tends to accelerate a rally. On top of that, a ton of traders are placing bets on Bitcoin going to $115K or even $120K, which is keeping the bullish mood alive.
What about the macro backdrop?
Funnily enough, Bitcoin’s big move happened just as Trump announced a fresh round of tariffs. Countries like Malaysia, South Africa, and Japan were hit with higher duties, which would usually spook the markets. But this time, it didn’t. Stocks kept rising, and Bitcoin barely blinked.
A lot of investors seem to be viewing Bitcoin as a kind of safety net. Not just against inflation, but also against all the political back-and-forth and sudden policy changes. With the Fed talking about possible rate cuts and U.S. debt concerns in the mix, more people are turning to assets that aren’t tied to governments or central banks.
Who’s driving the move?
And it’s not just retail traders piling in. A lot of the momentum is coming from institutions like hedge funds, ETFs, and corporate treasuries. There’s even talk that Trump’s own media company might be planning a Bitcoin-focused ETF. It’s a bit ironic, but it shows just how mainstream crypto has become.
One analyst summed it up nicely, saying this feels like the first real bull market led by institutional players. The data supports that too. While retail investors have been taking some profits, the bigger buyers are still stepping in and soaking up the supply.
So... what now?
The mood is still pretty bullish. Some traders are targeting $120,000 in the near term, while others are throwing around $150,000 as a year-end goal, assuming the broader environment stays supportive. Of course, there are also warnings. With so much leverage in play, even a small shift in sentiment could trigger a sharp pullback.
But for now, Bitcoin crossing $112,000 feels like a real milestone, especially in a week filled with global uncertainty. In a strange way, all the chaos might actually be giving it a boost.
