Cryptocurrency analyst and founder of Capriole Investments, Charles Edwards, recently provided insights into why Bitcoin (BTC) has yet to reach the $100,000 mark and the factors that could drive its price up in the near future.

Understanding Bitcoin's Current Strength

Despite the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US and a 50% price surge since January, Bitcoin's value hovers slightly above $71,000. Edwards outlined the challenges and triggers that could propel Bitcoin's price upward.

Edwards highlighted the significant hurdle preventing Bitcoin from hitting $100,000 as the selling pressure from long-term Bitcoin investors. He observed a decline in the percentage of wallets holding Bitcoin for over two years from 57% in December 2023 to 54% presently. This may appear marginal at 3%, but it corresponds to 630,000 BTC, three times the Bitcoin volume acquired by US ETFs since the beginning of the year, signaling that long-term holders are offloading their assets, contributing to the price decrease.

Another crucial aspect Edwards emphasized was the impact of Bitcoin's block reward halving, which the market has yet to fully acknowledge. The fourth halving event in April prompted a substantial supply shock by halving Bitcoin's daily issuance. Edwards anticipates a significant widening gap between ETFs' Bitcoin purchases and the coin's issuance over the next year.

Edwards also noted that financial institutions require time to evaluate the situation and allocate funds for Bitcoin acquisitions, meaning that spot ETFs will remain key BTC purchasers throughout the year.

Essential Factors for a Robust Bitcoin Price Surge

Conversely, Edwards pinpointed three critical factors crucial for a robust escalation in Bitcoin's value. Firstly, a higher average daily ETF purchase is needed to sustain Bitcoin demand. Secondly, a decrease in selling pressure from long-term holders would reduce the available Bitcoin supply for sale.

Lastly, Edwards highlighted the importance of the growth in US liquidity, offering more capital for Bitcoin investments.