Bitcoin Loses โ€œHottest Tradeโ€ Status in 2025, Attention Expected to Return

Bitcoin Status Fades as Institutional Dynamics Shift

Bitcoin lost its โ€œhottest tradeโ€ status in 2025 due to shifting institutional interest, according to Alex Thorn of Galaxy Digital, with market attention diverted to AI and traditional equities.

The shift indicates a temporary decline in crypto focus, but experts like Thorn suggest institutional interest will revive as macroeconomic conditions stabilize.

Bitcoin experienced a decline in its status as the โ€œhottest tradeโ€ of 2025, primarily due to changing institutional flows and risk appetites. This shift is characterized by a notable repositioning from major financial entities, including Morgan Stanley.

Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, observed a cooling in market optimism as investors rotate from crypto to AI and traditional equities. Thorn remains optimistic about Bitcoinโ€™s structural bull case and expects institutional focus to return. He stated, โ€œWhile macro factors and shifting market anxieties have temporarily moved attention away from Bitcoin, the structural bull case remains intact, and we anticipate institutional flows returning as macro conditions stabilize.โ€

Bitcoin Volatility Drops Amid Institutional Outflows

The decline affected Bitcoinโ€™s volatility and fund movements among ETFs and large custodians. ETH and other altcoins experienced indirect impacts as capital flowed toward narratives such as AI and real-world assets.

Galaxy Digital has revised its year-end Bitcoin price target to $120,000 from an earlier $185,000, a reflection of ongoing macroeconomic pressures. Funding allocations show diversified interests, yet institutional engagement persists at a slower rate.

Bitcoin Mirrors Past Cycle Shifts, Experts Weigh In

This market shift mirrors patterns from previous Bitcoin cycles like 2017โ€“2018 and 2021, where Bitcoin lost narrative dominance to assets such as DeFi and AI-linked tokens. Such rotations emphasize the evolving nature of investment trends.

According to experts, while Bitcoinโ€™s recent pullback is seen as a late-cycle consolidation, its long-term structural trend remains solid. Raoul Pal notes a classic pattern of macro headwinds, anticipating a return in focus to Bitcoin.

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