Bitcoin’s Rollercoaster Ride Won’t Derail VanEck’s $180K View

Christian Encila

Last Updated: August 25, 2025 9:00 pm

3 mins read

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Bitcoin’s price action this month has left traders watching closely as big players double down on bullish calls. According to VanEck’s research, the investment firm has reaffirmed a $180,000 year-end target even after Bitcoin slid from a recent high, a sign that some institutional buyers are not backing away despite a pullback.

Institutional Buying Remains Heavy

Reports have disclosed heavy accumulation in July. Exchange-traded products bought 54,000 BTC while Digital Asset Treasuries added 72,000 BTC, giving clear evidence that large holders continue to pile in.

VanEck first laid out its bullish view in November 2024 when Bitcoin traded around $88,000. At the same time, US-listed miners now account for 31% of global Bitcoin hashrate, up from roughly 30% earlier this year, even as equity index fell 4% when excluding Applied Digital’s 50% jump.

Price Moves Show Volatility And Quick Recovery

Bitcoin slid to $112,000 in early August before jumping back to $124,000 on August 13. That move set a new all-time high above July’s $123,838.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades close to $115K, roughly 8% below that recent peak. Traders describe the pullback as a repositioning after a run-up, not an obvious breakdown.

Source: VanEck

Derivatives metrics back the picture of rising speculative interest. CME basis funding rates have surged to 10%, the highest level since February 2025.

Options markets show call/put ratios hitting 3.21x, the strongest since June 2024, with investors spending $792 million on call premiums.

Yet implied volatility has compressed to 32%, well under the one-year average of 50%, which makes options cheaper for buyers.

On the other hand, futures open interest sits over $6 billion, though a $2.3 billion unwind in open interest during recent corrections ranks among the larger single-session moves.

Source: VanEck

Voices Split On How High Bitcoin Could Go

Executives and analysts disagree on the pace and peak of the rally. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong joined figures such as Jack Dorsey and Cathie Wood in suggesting Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2030, citing clearer rules and wider institutional adoption.

BTCUSD trading at $111,176 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView

Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz warned that a million-dollar level would more likely reflect severe US economic stress than normal market strength.

Preston Pysh flagged concerns about how Wall Street’s growing role might change Bitcoin’s use and culture.

Support Levels And Technical

Technically, many market watchers view the $100,000-$110,000 range as key support. A decisive break below $112,000 could push prices toward $110,000 and, in a deeper move, $105,000.

For now, the story is mixed. Institutional demand and speculative derivatives flows are pushing price pressure higher, while cheap options and compressed volatility make bullish bets less costly.

Whether that combination lifts Bitcoin to VanEck’s $180,000 target will depend on continued inflows and whether key support holds.

Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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