Bitcoin’s US$100K Rally: Southeast Asia’s growing crypto revolution

Bitcoin’s US$100K Rally: Southeast Asia’s growing crypto revolution

It’s a milestone that’s been on global cryptocurrency enthusiasts’ minds for many years. Bitcoin’s recent rally to a value of US$100,000 has helped uncover Southeast Asia’s sky-high enthusiasm for crypto adoption and development.

The scale of Bitcoin’s ongoing rally is the topic of much debate, but its resonance in Asian economies appears assured regardless of the direction that the coin takes in the months ahead.

According to the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index, Central & Southern Asia and Oceania (CSAO) lead the world in crypto adoption with seven of the top 20 most active nations for both centralised and decentralised finance (DeFi) protocols.

At the forefront of this growth was Indonesia, which surpassed US$30 billion (IDR 475.13 trillion) in cryptocurrency transactions between January and October 2024, representing a growth of 352.89 per cent in comparison to the same period in 2023.

However, we’re also seeing widespread change at an institutional level, which could see significant growth in the number of cryptocurrency use cases in 2025 and beyond throughout the region. With interest in crypto reaching new levels in Southeast Asia, Bitcoin is becoming more accessible than ever before.

Proliferation of crypto services

Bitcoin’s recent growth has brought a series of watershed moments for Asian adoption of crypto. In November, ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s first and largest digital bank, became the continent’s first institution to offer cryptocurrency trading services directly to retail investors.

With ZA Bank’s app, it’s possible for users to frictionlessly trade cryptoucrrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum without the need for switching platforms in the process.

In November 2024, Japanese firm AEON announced the launch of a QR code payment system on Binance’s BNB Chain with Terminus, helping to scale crypto payment accessibility in Southeast Asia.

The tools are intended to make cryptocurrency payments a seamless experience for users and merchants, and the initiative could help leverage more offline cryptocurrency payments throughout the region.

Cryptocurrency payments have been identified as a leading payment trend due to their flexibility and security qualities, and opening the door to making purchases with coins like Bitcoin represents a major step toward acceptance.

Embracing AI and cryptocurrency: Is Hong Kong too ambitious?

Focused on leveraging Bitcoin as a primary reserve asset to optimise financial strategies and drive stakeholder value, Sora Ventures has launched a US$150 million fund to grow Bitcoin-focused investment strategies among listed companies throughout Asia.

Targeting companies listed on major stock exchanges throughout Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea, the move is a conscious effort to replicate the success of MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin reserve model in the United States.

In the month following the US Presidential election which saw both Wall Street and cryptocurrency markets embark on a rally off the back of Donald Trump’s victory, Bitcoin’s 30% growth eclipsed the 14 per cent experienced by the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS), an exchange-traded fund that focuses on Wall Street’s seven largest companies by market capitalisation.

The expansion of investment options for Southeast Asia’s largest firms can open the door to better-managed growth, and the ability to embrace the historical outperformance of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin fully.

The world’s developer capital

It’s also important to highlight Southeast Asia’s invaluable role among crypto developers, with the continent surpassing North America in recent years to attain a strong market share.

Since 2015, Asia’s share of global cryptocurrency developers has rallied from just 13 per cent to 32 per cent, while North America’s market share fell from 44 per cent to 25 per cent over the same period.

While India has been a driving force in Asia’s newfound crypto dominance, nations like China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore have all helped to build a conducive infrastructure for crypto developers.

According to Singapore-based fund manager, Anndy Lian, the emerging markets of India and Southeast Asia where traditional banking infrastructure can be less accessible, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have helped to democratise financial services to residents.

It’s this necessity for innovation that appears to be positioning Southeast Asia at the forefront of crypto innovation, and the benefits are being reaped by retail investors and institutions alike.

According to a recent National Thailand report, nations like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines possess high smartphone penetration rates, making cryptocurrency far more accessible during its ongoing market rally. As a result, we could see far more sustained adoption rates for crypto and DeFi services developed locally.

Challenges remain

Despite clear indications that Southeast Asia is embracing the ongoing cryptocurrency rally more enthusiastically than ever before, a number of challenges remain.

Cryptocurrency is famously volatile and open to exploitation among unwitting users. With Bitcoin’s historical bull runs giving way to substantial losses, both retail and institutional adopters will need to be wary of buying into crypto.

 

Source: https://e27.co/southeast-asia-leads-world-in-crypto-adoption-as-bitcoins-us100000-rally-presents-new-opportunities-and-challenges-20250103/

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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How $100K Bitcoin impacts the wealth gap in the digital age

How $100K Bitcoin impacts the wealth gap in the digital age

Bitcoin’s historic price milestone on Dec. 5, surpassing $100,000 for the first time, is ushering in a new era of digital wealth creation. This milestone may provide a potential solution to bridge the growing wealth gap, but it also raises concerns over its role in exacerbating wealth inequality.

The Bitcoin BTCtickers down$99,527 price rose to a record above the $100,000 price level on Dec. 5 for the first time in crypto history, just a month after Donald Trump won the 2024 United States presidential election.

While it has since fallen back below the mark, the asset is still up 32.1% over the past month and over 120% year-to-date, outshining most traditional finance products.

Bitcoin has generated more than 893,000 times its value since August 2011, presenting life-changing opportunities for long-term holders. According to Bitstamp data, Bitcoin’s trajectory has made it one of the most profitable assets in history.

While Bitcoin’s leading returns presented a significant opportunity for early investors, some industry experts worry that it’s too late for current investors to adopt Bitcoin as a means of creating more economic equality and bridging the wealth gap.

Could Bitcoin be the solution or the next cause of wealth inequality in the digital age?

Bitcoin whales and institutional holders present a growing risk for existing financial inequalities

Bitcoin’s decentralization initially made it a safe-haven asset for those seeking to build wealth outside traditional finance systems.

But as Bitcoin accumulates in the hands of a few large financial institutions and “whales,” its potential for wealth redistribution is increasingly questioned.

This presents a newfound risk for Bitcoin, according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain expert.

He told Cointelegraph:

“This concentration poses a risk of perpetuating existing inequalities, as those with substantial holdings can exert considerable influence over the market. The volatility and speculative nature of Bitcoin mean it is not a foolproof solution for addressing wealth inequality.”

Since the launch of US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January, major institutions, including BlackRock, have amassed large amounts of Bitcoin.

US Bitcoin ETFs hold nearly 1.1 million BTC, worth more than $100 billion, and are close to surpassing the holdings of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

Lian emphasized the need for regulatory oversight and strategic policy interventions to ensure Bitcoin’s potential to reduce wealth inequality.

Bitcoin at $100,000: An “asymmetric wealth creation opportunity” for true believers

Despite Bitcoin’s six-figure price tag, it is still part of a nascent, “extremely niche” market.

There is still significant wealth generation opportunity in Bitcoin since its holders are a small proportion of the global population, Bitfinex analysts told Cointelegraph:

“Bitcoin will generate asymmetric wealth for those who believe in and hold it, and we see it as more of an asymmetric wealth creation opportunity for holders, rather than a solution for wealth inequality. This is almost akin to the purest form of capitalism, wherein any kind of flavor of banana republic is done away with.”

Bitcoin whales, or investors with at least 10 BTC, had amassed a cumulative 103,960 Bitcoin in the last seven weeks, Santiment data shows.

Regardless, Bitcoin remains the best vehicle for fueling wealth equality, Bitget Research’s chief analyst, Ryan Lee, told Cointelegraph:

“By its design, Bitcoin can still preserve wealth distribution as anyone can buy only some Bitcoin to gain exposure to the coin. For users worldwide, Bitcoin is digital money that cannot be tamed and will remain the best bet in fueling wealth equality.”

What about late Bitcoin adopters?

Despite Bitcoin’s over 893,000-fold return on investment, there is still significant financial opportunity, even for late adopters.

Bitcoin still presents a solid financial opportunity at current valuations, as it is the only asset with a fixed supply and hard-coded future inflation, Bitfinex analysts said, adding:

“We can remember back in 2017 when Bitcoin hit $1,000, many critics called it overvalued and that the train had already left the station for all investors. Bitcoin is almost 100x in value since then. There is certainly wealth creation taking place for holders.”

Economic inequality is a growing concern worldwide, including in the world’s largest economy, the United States.

From 1989 to 2021, the wealth of the top 1% of US households increased by more than $21 trillion, according to data from the Congressional Budget Office.

During the same period, the bottom 50% of US households saw a slight decline, with their share of national wealth falling to just 2% by 2021.

Late adopters could still join before global governments follow suit

While Bitcoin’s returns may be more modest after the $100,000 mark, there is still significant opportunity for generating returns.

This is because late adopters could still benefit from the growing governmental and institutional Bitcoin adoption that will increase in the forthcoming years, according to James Wo, the founder and CEO of venture capital firm DFG.

Wo told Cointelegraph:

“While early adopters inevitably reap the largest rewards, new entrants still have the potential to benefit, especially as institutional adoption accelerates. Initiatives like the Pennsylvania Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act could push other governments and institutions to allocate some capital into Bitcoin, further solidifying its role as an inflation hedge and a long-term store of value.”

While the returns made by late adopters may not match the exponential return of the past decade, the growing institutional interest will help Bitcoin maintain its long-term price trajectory, Wo said.

Early adopters and large whales still stand to gain the highest returns, but there is a wider opportunity for narrowing income equality in the process. Wo explained that “unlike traditional financial systems, Bitcoin provides anyone with internet access the opportunity to store and grow wealth independently of centralized banks or unstable local currencies.”

He added that in regions facing hyperinflation or restrictive banking policies, Bitcoin “offers a solution for financial inclusion and empowerment.”

Historically, the Bitcoin price has benefited from troubles in the traditional banking industry. The 2023 US banking crisis was a catalyst for Bitcoin’s bull run last year, according to BitMEX co-founder and former CEO Arthur Hayes.

Concerns arose over the US banking industry in March 2023 following the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the voluntary liquidation of Silvergate Bank. Signature Bank was also forced to close operations by New York regulators on March 12, two days after Silvergate Bank’s liquidation.

The collapse of these US banks in March 2023 sparked a bull run for Bitcoin, which climbed 26% from $21,900 to $28,054 in a week.

Despite concerns, Bitcoin remains a valuable asset for those seeking to escape traditional financial systems and for late adopters who may benefit from increased institutional and governmental adoption.

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/100k-bitcoin-impacts-wealth-gap-digital-age

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Bitcoin nears 1M daily active addresses as price chases $100K

Bitcoin nears 1M daily active addresses as price chases $100K

Bitcoin is approaching 1 million daily active users for the first time since 2019, reflecting growing adoption in 2024. Analysts say this increase may help push Bitcoin’s price beyond the $100,000 mark.

On Nov. 26, blockchain analytics platform IntoTheBlock noted that Bitcoin’s onchain activity has seen its most significant growth since 2021. Nearing 1 million daily active addresses shows a shift toward broader retail adoption.

The increase in daily active addresses signals a transition from large investors, known as whales, to retail participants, according to blockchain expert Anndy Lian.

He told Cointelegraph:

“This could be a positive sign for the market, as it may lead to more stable price movements. Retail investors tend to behave differently than whales, who can cause significant price swings with their large trades.”

Lian added that the growing number of active addresses indicates a healthier and more robust network, which bodes well for long-term Bitcoin investors.

The growing network activity is a promising sign for Bitcoin’s BTCtickers down$92,144 battle toward the historic $100,000 mark, which it came within $200 of on Nov. 22.

BTC saw a 6% correction to $92,400 on Nov. 26, mainly driven by large-scale selling from long-term BTC holders, not outflows from United States-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas.

New Bitcoin investors have yet to start buying BTC and exerting upward pressure

Despite the price dip, the increase in active addresses remains a bullish indicator. Still, most new investors have yet to engage in significant buying or selling, Lian said.

“Trading volume has remained relatively stable despite the increase in active addresses,” he said. “This suggests that the onchain activity hasn’t yet translated into significant buying or selling pressure.”

BTC average exchange trading volume. Source: Blockchain.com

Bitcoin’s total trading volume across all exchanges stood at a daily average of $817 million on Nov. 26, compared to over $1.58 billion on Nov. 14, when Bitcoin price breached $90,500, Blockchain.com data shows.

Still, investors should consider the potential of a wider market correction, according to Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research:

“The market may be correcting, and investors’ profit-taking behavior may also be one of the reasons for the price drop. In addition, long leveraged positions above $3.40 billion face liquidation risks, which may further exacerbate price volatility.”

Can 1 million active users push Bitcoin price to $100,000 milestone?

The resurgence in Bitcoin’s active users may contribute to Bitcoin’s rally to the $100,000 record high, which could potentially occur before the end of November, according to some analysts.

In another bullish sign, over 458,000 Bitcoin investors have acquired BTC above $96,700, which may offer significant momentum for the next leg up, wrote IntoTheBlock in a Nov. 25 X post:

“458,000 addresses have amassed a staggering 344,000 BTC. A strong foundation to fuel a move beyond $100k.”

In/out of money around price. Source: IntoTheBlock

Bitcoin’s price and network activity have seen significant growth since Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election on Nov. 5, according to Isaac Joshua, CEO at Gems Blockchain Launchpad, who added:

“If this momentum continues, Bitcoin could be on track for $100,000. However, it will require significant inflows — around $500 billion more—into the market. This is achievable, given current daily trading volumes and growing adoption of Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a weakening dollar.”

The growing onchain activity comes a week after Bitcoin ETFs logged $2.4 billion worth of inflows in their fourth-best week of investments, while economic concerns led to over $2 billion worth of outflows for China ETFs, marking the worst week of outflows in history.

 

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-nears-1m-daily-addresses-price-chases-100k

 

 

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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