Bitcoin has once again shaken the financial world, reaching a new all-time high of $111,880 after a 3.5% surge. Its market capitalization now approaches a staggering $2.2 trillion, pushing past tech titan Amazon. As excitement grows in both crypto and traditional finance circles, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ, has a clear message for those who sold too early: you missed the bigger picture.

CZ responded to Bitcoin’s record-breaking performance with a mix of celebration and subtle criticism. Reflecting on investors who sold their BTC holdings at around $77,000, he suggested that those focusing too much on short-term gains may have prematurely cashed out. His advice? Look at the long-term trends. According to CZ, real value in Bitcoin lies not in day-to-day fluctuations but in understanding the broader adoption curve and future potential.

He’s not the only one pointing toward higher prices. Investor Fred Krueger recently said that if Bitcoin successfully holds above $110,000, the road to $150,000 could be smoother than expected. This confidence is being echoed across markets, especially as spot Bitcoin ETFs begin to register significant inflows.

Just in May, Bitcoin ETFs have attracted $3.6 billion in net inflows. On May 20 alone, over $608 million in new capital poured into spot ETFs, pushing their combined net asset value to more than $129 billion, according to data from SoSoValue. Institutional investors are clearly ramping up their exposure. Unlike previous cycles, it’s not just crypto-native funds or retail traders driving this surge — even public companies are beginning to treat BTC as a strategic treasury asset.

Major moves from financial institutions, like JPMorgan reportedly offering clients access to Bitcoin, underscore the changing landscape. As traditional finance giants dip their toes into crypto, it signals a broader shift in perception that may influence others to follow suit. Meanwhile, exchange inflows have plummeted by 82% since last November, while liquidity in stablecoins such as USDT is at a healthy $46.9 billion, showing a strong base of capital waiting to be deployed.

Market analysts are now setting ambitious new targets. Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget, forecasts that Bitcoin could surge to $180,000 by the end of the year. He cites multiple catalysts: surging ETF demand, post-halving supply constraints, and an uptick in institutional adoption. He also points to Moody’s recent downgrade of the U.S. credit rating as another key factor. In times of fiat instability, Bitcoin and Ethereum often benefit as investors seek safer, decentralized assets.

Adding fuel to the bullish fire is the technical pattern known as the “Golden Cross,” where Bitcoin’s 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average. Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen says this rare event is a powerful bullish signal that historically precedes major upward moves. However, he also warns that a temporary 10–15% pullback could follow, even in strong markets. If Bitcoin dips but manages to hold above $95,000, it would confirm the strength of the ongoing uptrend. But failure to reclaim $110,000 by mid-June could signal short-term weakness and lead to a retest of lower support levels.

Meanwhile, on-chain analyst Ali Martinez highlights that Bitcoin is now in “price discovery mode,” with no historical resistance left to hold it back. According to him, the next critical levels to watch are $116,000, $126,000, $136,000, and $148,000 — each of which could act as potential points for consolidation or breakout as the rally continues.

With institutional demand rising, spot ETFs thriving, and bullish technicals aligning, Bitcoin seems well-positioned for further gains. Whether retail investors jump back in or remain cautious, the message from the market is clear: the Bitcoin bull run is far from over, and early sellers may end up with serious regrets.