As Bitcoin edges ever closer to the historic $100,000 mark, veteran cryptocurrency advocate Max Keiser has issued one of his boldest forecasts yet: Bitcoin will soon rocket to $500,000 — and it won’t take long. In his words, the price surge will happen “in a jiffy.”

Keiser, a former Wall Street trader and financial journalist, now serves as a senior advisor on Bitcoin policy to the government of El Salvador. A longtime crypto bull, Keiser is no stranger to big predictions. But even by his standards, a more than 400% price increase from Bitcoin’s current level is eye-opening. His comments come amid a wave of bullish sentiment that’s swept through the crypto market following the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady at 4.25% to 4.5%.

In a post on social media, Keiser explained his outlook using a vivid analogy, stating that “nature hates a vacuum and so does money.” According to him, the massive gap between Bitcoin’s current price around $98,000 and the projected $500,000 level is creating a “vacuum” that financial capital is now being drawn into. “The vacuum from $98,000 to $500,000 is gaining suction,” he said. “BTC price will whisk away to that price in a jiffy.”

While Keiser’s prediction may seem extreme to some, it comes as Bitcoin continues to build strong momentum. Over the past 24 hours, the cryptocurrency has climbed more than 3%, adding to weeks of steady gains and bringing it within striking distance of a major milestone: six-figure territory. Many analysts see $100,000 as not just a psychological barrier, but also a key technical resistance level. A decisive breakout above this mark could trigger further institutional inflows and open the door to the kind of exponential growth Keiser envisions.

One major catalyst behind the recent price action has been the Federal Reserve’s recent policy stance. By choosing not to raise interest rates, the Fed has effectively signaled a more supportive environment for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Lower or steady rates often weaken the dollar and push investors toward alternative stores of value, such as Bitcoin. In this environment, many view Bitcoin as not only a speculative asset but also a long-term hedge against inflation and central bank policies.

Keiser also weighed in on another development in the crypto space: the increasing use of artificial intelligence in Bitcoin-related financial strategies. Referencing the work of Michael Saylor, the co-founder of MicroStrategy and another vocal Bitcoin proponent, Keiser noted that Saylor’s team has been integrating AI tools into its treasury operations. According to Keiser, Saylor and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are “using AI to invent novel security structures to maximize the Bitcoin Treasury model.”

This strategy is already paying off. Saylor’s company, Strategy, recently introduced it had raised its Bitcoin accumulation target to a staggering $84 billion, fueled by a combination of stock and debt issuance. The firm already holds an estimated $52 billion in Bitcoin, making it one of the largest corporate holders of BTC in the world. Ramaswamy, for his part, is reportedly planning to take his firm Strive Asset Management public and adopt a similar strategy, using capital raised through a merger to acquire Bitcoin.

The embrace of AI as a tool for capital allocation and risk management underscores the growing sophistication of the Bitcoin ecosystem. It’s no longer just retail investors and early adopters buying Bitcoin; institutional players are now leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimize their exposure and holdings. This, in turn, contributes to growing demand and limited supply — the fundamental recipe for price appreciation.

For Keiser, this evolving landscape is proof that Bitcoin’s best days lie ahead. His forecast of a “jiffy” jump to $500,000 may seem optimistic, but it’s grounded in several converging trends: increased institutional participation, macroeconomic tailwinds, technological integration, and Bitcoin’s own programmed scarcity.

Still, many in the crypto community urge caution. While bullish sentiment is strong and on-chain metrics are improving, Bitcoin’s path to $500,000 is far from guaranteed. Large resistance zones, potential profit-taking near $100,000, and macroeconomic shocks could all slow or reverse the current rally. Furthermore, high volatility — a hallmark of crypto markets — means that dramatic price swings are likely on the road ahead.

That said, the enthusiasm surrounding Bitcoin’s latest run is unmistakable. From Wall Street to Silicon Valley and even government halls in countries like El Salvador, Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset — it’s increasingly central to the financial conversation. Whether Keiser’s $500,000 prediction becomes reality remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Bitcoin is once again capturing the world’s attention.

As always, investors are advised to conduct their own research, understand the risks, and be prepared for volatility. The path to massive returns in crypto can be swift, but it is rarely smooth.