By TOKYO, Aug 14 (AfrikTimes) – Bitcoin hit a record high on Thursday as growing expectations of easier monetary policy from the Federal Reserve added to momentum from recently announced financial reforms.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation climbed as much as 0.9% to $124,002.49 in early Asia trading, surpassing its previous peak set in July. Ether, the second-largest crypto token, reached $4,780.04 — its highest level since late 2021.
Bitcoin’s rally is being fuelled by expectations of Fed rate cuts, sustained institutional buying, and moves by the Trump administration to ease investment in crypto assets, said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
“Technically, a sustained break above $125k could propel BTC to $150,000,” he wrote in a note.
Bitcoin has gained nearly 32% so far in 2025 on the back of long-sought regulatory wins for the sector following President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Trump has dubbed himself the “crypto president,” and his family has made a series of investments in the sector over the past year.
Sparks strike representation of cryptocurrency Bitcoin in this illustration taken November 24, 2024.
An executive order last week paved the way for crypto assets to be included in 401(k) retirement accounts, highlighting a more favourable regulatory environment in the United States. The order could also benefit asset managers such as BlackRock and Fidelity, which operate crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The U.S. crypto sector has secured multiple regulatory victories in 2025, including the passage of stablecoin rules and a move by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to overhaul its framework to better accommodate the asset class.
According to CoinMarketCap, the crypto sector’s overall market capitalisation has surged to more than $4.18 trillion, up from about $2.5 trillion in November 2024, when Trump won the U.S. presidential election.
While the push into retirement savings could accelerate mainstream adoption, analysts caution that cryptocurrencies remain far more volatile than traditional assets such as stocks and bonds.
