After the devastating crypto winter of 2022 — FTX, the bear market, the regulatory crackdowns — cryptocurrency came roaring back in 2024. And it didn't just come back quietly.
In January 2024, the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs — investment products that for the first time allowed ordinary investors to buy Bitcoin exposure through traditional brokerage accounts. Billions flowed in almost immediately. The Bitcoin halving in April 2024 further reduced new supply. And then Trump won the election — having positioned himself as a pro-crypto president.
The $100,000 Milestone
In November 2024, Bitcoin crossed $100,000 for the first time in history. The milestone had been discussed, dreamed about, and memed for years — and it actually arrived. By early 2025, Bitcoin was trading at record levels.
The Mainstream Question
Crypto's bull run raised the question of whether digital assets had finally crossed into true mainstream acceptance or whether another cycle of collapse was inevitable. The debate continued — as it always does in crypto.