Bitcoin supply shortage fuels breakout to $125K in 2025

Bitcoin’s climb above $125,000 marks the intersection of multiple bullish forces - a tightening supply, growing institutional inflows, and renewed investor confidence amid global economic uncertainty. With the number of coins on exchanges now at a six-year low and the macro “debasement trade” gaining momentum, Bitcoin’s latest rally reflects both structural scarcity and shifting capital flows into digital assets. Still, questions remain over whether the move extends straight to $150K or pauses for consolidation first.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin hit a new all-time high near $125,700 during Sunday’s 5 October Asia session - lifting its market cap to $2.5 trillion - above Amazon and closing in on silver.
  
  
• Exchange balances have fallen to 2.83 million BTC, the lowest in six years, signalling long-term investor accumulation.
  
  
• Institutional inflows into crypto ETFs and treasury holdings are supporting sustained demand.
  
  
• Analysts highlight the “debasement trade” - rising demand for Bitcoin as investors hedge against debt, inflation, and dollar weakness.
  
  
• Rising volumes and reduced sell pressure indicate structural strength, not froth.
  
  
• $120K remains a key price level for sustaining medium-term momentum.
  
  

Bitcoin supply shortage helps drive record highs

Bitcoin’s climb to a new all-time high around $125,400 marks a key moment in its 17-year history. Unlike past rallies, this surge isn’t driven primarily by leverage or speculative mania. Exchange data from CoinGlass and Swissblock shows that the BTC supply available to trade has dropped to just 2.83 million coins, the lowest since 2019.

This contraction means fewer coins are available for sale even as demand rises - creating a classic setup for price appreciation. Accumulation by long-term holders and institutional funds has steadily absorbed market supply since September, helping Bitcoin recover from its earlier dips below $110K.

For traders looking to capitalise on these shifts, trading Bitcoin on Deriv offers opportunities to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset - available across Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader platforms.

Demand absorption and real investor conviction

According to Swissblock’s Bull Bear Indicator, Bitcoin’s rally is underpinned by genuine demand, not short-term speculation. Even during pullbacks, buying pressure has consistently outpaced selling. The firm’s Structure Shift metric - a gauge of trend conviction - remained upward during corrections, highlighting a market driven by accumulation, not hype.

Institutional activity has been another catalyst. Since mid-year, inflows into crypto ETFs and treasury allocations have expanded significantly, with large asset managers increasing exposure amid a friendlier regulatory stance in the U.S.

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The Bitcoin debasement trade takes centre stage

JPMorgan analysts describe the current environment as a “debasement trade,” where both retail and institutional investors hedge against currency risk and fiscal imbalances through assets like gold and Bitcoin.

The narrative is supported by:

• Rising government debt and fiscal stress in the U.S. and Europe.
  
  
• A weaker U.S. dollar amplifies Bitcoin’s relative strength.
  
  
• Heightened geopolitical uncertainty, from global elections to policy volatility.
  
  

Combined, these factors have boosted Bitcoin’s appeal as a store of value alternative - or, as analysts frame it, “digital gold.”

For context, similar dynamics have been driving gold’s recent breakout and renewed interest in oil market reversals - both reflecting investor demand for real assets in a high-debt environment.

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Bitcoin ETF inflows from institutions are also a driver

The shift in U.S. policy under the Trump administration - including the passage of three pro-crypto bills in mid-2025 - has spurred confidence across financial markets. Institutional investors have responded with record inflows into newly launched crypto ETFs, while corporate treasuries have begun treating Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset.

This change in structure has reduced the market’s speculative character. Unlike in 2021, today’s buyers are largely longer-term participants, resulting in a steadier demand base and lower volatility per unit of volume.

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Bitcoin technical resistance and support levels

At the time of writing, the BTC price is bouncing off the $124,600 resistance level, hinting at a potential price reversal. However, volume bars show strong buy pressure with little seller pushback, suggesting the possibility of a further uptick.

Should the slowdown at resistance lead to a pullback, Bitcoin could find support near $112,700 and $108,430 - levels that align with prior consolidation zones and institutional buying interest.

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For traders monitoring these technical levels, Deriv’s trading calculator can help estimate potential profit, margin, and pip values across different account types.

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Market outlook and price scenarios

If exchange balances remain tight and ETF inflows continue, Bitcoin could test $150K over the medium term. However, a near-term cool-off is likely as traders digest gains and re-evaluate positioning.

• Bullish case: Continued institutional inflows, stable macro environment, and low exchange supply could push BTC towards $150K by year-end.
  
  
• Neutral case: A period of consolidation between $120K–$130K, reflecting market digestion after rapid appreciation.
  
  
• Bearish case: A break below $120K would signal waning momentum, though strong structural demand limits deeper downside.
  
  

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Investment implications

For traders, the near-term setup favours cautious optimism.

• Short-term: If momentum holds, a consolidation between $120K and $130K would provide attractive entry zones.
  
  
• Medium-term: Sustained ETF inflows and low supply could trigger a move toward $140K–$150K within months.
  
  
• Risk factors: A sharp rebound in the U.S. dollar or a drop in institutional participation could slow momentum.
  
  

Long-term investors should note that Bitcoin’s six-year exchange supply low points to a fundamentally tightening market - a structure that historically precedes major price expansion phases.

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Trading Bitcoin scarcity on Deriv platforms

Traders looking to capitalise on Bitcoin’s supply squeeze can use Deriv’s suite of tools designed for flexibility, speed, and precision across multiple market conditions.

• Trade Bitcoin CFDs on Deriv MT5, or Deriv Trader to speculate on both rising and falling prices without owning the underlying asset.
  
  
• Use Multipliers to amplify short-term price movements while keeping the downside limited. This is ideal for intraday trading during high-volatility phases.
  
  
• Apply technical indicators like RSI, MACD, and moving averages on Deriv MT5 to confirm momentum trends around key resistance and support levels (e.g., $124,600 and $112,700).
  
  
• Combine Deriv’s trading calculator with live crypto charts to assess margin, pip value, and potential profit for each trade setup.
  
  

These tools allow traders to navigate Bitcoin’s tightening supply and capitalise on volatility, whether positioning for a continuation to $150K or a near-term correction.

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