Bitcoin Hits $100K: Cathie Wood Says the Best Is Yet to Come

Bitcoin celebrated a major milestone on Dec. 5, crossing the $100,000 threshold for the first time. Despite this historic achievement, Cathie Wood, the CEO of ARK Invest, argues that Bitcoin is still in its “early innings,” with a bright future ahead.

Bitcoin’s Rapid Growth vs. Traditional Giants

In just under 16 years, Bitcoin has grown to become a $2 trillion asset, a feat that took tech giants Amazon and Apple 29 and 42 years, respectively, to achieve. This rapid ascent underscores Bitcoin’s unique position as a digital asset that combines financial innovation, scarcity, and a borderless nature.

Cathie Wood highlighted these dynamics, comparing Bitcoin’s market to gold, which currently boasts a $15 trillion valuation at around $2,700 per ounce. With Bitcoin priced at over $102,000 and a market value of $2 trillion, Wood sees significant room for growth. “Bitcoin is a much bigger idea than gold,” Wood stated, emphasizing its digital, decentralized, and global nature.

Source: X

Policy Shifts and Growing Institutional Support

Wood also pointed to shifting U.S. regulatory policies as a tailwind for Bitcoin’s continued success. She celebrated President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Paul Atkins—a known crypto supporter—as the new chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This change comes alongside Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a “digital version of gold,” lending further credibility to its status as a legitimate financial asset.

These policy developments, coupled with the proliferation of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from financial giants like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale, have significantly boosted institutional adoption. Danny Chong, co-founder of Tranchess, noted, “This price point isn’t just a number—it’s a testament to Bitcoin’s growing legitimacy and mainstream acceptance.”

Bitcoin’s Market Dominance and Future Potential

At its current valuation, Bitcoin accounts for 52.6% of the total cryptocurrency market, which now stands at $3.9 trillion, according to CoinGecko. This dominance reflects Bitcoin’s role as the foundational asset of the crypto ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Wood remains confident in Bitcoin’s trajectory. In March, she reiterated ARK Invest’s bold prediction that Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2030. This target is based on Bitcoin’s potential to penetrate markets such as global remittances, institutional investment portfolios, and even emerging market currencies.

Wood, said that a month ago in our “Bitcoin Cycles” piece, we flagged a potential price target range between 104k and 124k by year’s end, based on the averaged performance multiple of all years sampled (2011-2023) and all halving years, respectively.

The lower bound above has just been met. We look forward to what the rest of 2024, as well as 2025, have in store for Bitcoin.

Source: Ark

A Testament to Bitcoin’s Legitimacy

Bitcoin’s surge past $100,000 is not just a milestone—it’s a validation of its resilience and growing role in the global financial system. With the backing of major financial institutions, innovative infrastructure like the Lightning Network, and increasing regulatory clarity, Bitcoin is poised for further growth.

As Wood aptly put it, Bitcoin’s rise is more than just a financial story; it’s a transformative shift in how the world views money, value, and technology. While $100,000 is an impressive milestone, for Bitcoin believers like Cathie Wood, it’s just the beginning.