Bitcoin surged past the $100,000 mark on Thursday, regaining ground for the first time since February and reflecting renewed investor confidence following a breakthrough trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom.
By midday, Bitcoin was trading at $101,329.97, up 4.7% on the day, buoyed by improved global risk sentiment. The crypto asset has now entered positive territory for 2025, although it still trails its January all-time high of over $109,000.
The rally follows the announcement of a U.S.-UK trade agreement between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The deal maintains a 10% U.S. tariff on UK imports but includes Britain lowering its tariffs to 1.8% and expanding access to U.S. goods — signaling a potential thaw in the protectionist climate that has defined global trade since Trump’s return to office.
Market Impact and Commentary:
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Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of Nexo, described the resurgence as a “formidable feat” and emphasized that long-term holders drove the rebound, overpowering short-term profit-taking.
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“Buying peak fear — just last month Bitcoin was languishing around $74,000 — has proven exceptionally lucrative,” Trenchev added.
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Joel Kruger of LMAX Group pointed to rising institutional interest, geopolitical stability, and Chinese monetary stimulus as key tailwinds behind the rally.
Other Cryptos Lag Behind:
Ethereum’s native token Ether climbed 14% to $2,050.46, reaching a one-month high, but it remains nearly 50% below its 2024 peak. Other altcoins have yet to mirror Bitcoin’s bullish momentum.
Bitcoin’s trajectory was weighed down earlier this year by uncertainty around the pace of pro-crypto reform under Trump’s new administration. April’s widespread tariff announcements spurred a flight to safety, leading to a temporary slump in risk assets, including crypto.
Now, with geopolitical risk easing and renewed appetite from long-term investors and institutional funds — particularly through Bitcoin ETFs — market sentiment appears to have decisively shifted back in favor of crypto’s largest token.
With the $100,000 psychological level reclaimed, traders are eyeing $109,000 and beyond as the next major milestone.