Bitcoin 2025 Mirrors 2018, Signals Upward Trend

Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin’s price trend in 2025 closely resembles the pattern seen in 2018 following the bear market.
- Technical indicators suggest a potential upward trend.
- Institutional investors now play a greater role than in 2018.
- Retail interest remains low so far – possibly an early signal for smart money.
Parallels Between 2018 and 2025
The current Bitcoin price trend is strongly reminiscent of 2018. Back then, Bitcoin went through an extended period of declining prices before seeing a sustainable recovery. A similar structure is emerging in 2025: after a significant drop, the price is stabilizing, and early indicators are pointing to a trend reversal.
Specifically, it can be observed that Bitcoin’s market value has once again risen above critical thresholds. This is supported by technical indicators such as the RSI (Relative Strength Index) and OBV (On-Balance Volume), both of which point to increasing buying pressure.
Technical Signals Indicate Upside Potential
Bitcoin recently traded above the $87,000 mark – a 2.5% gain on the day. The RSI stands at 57.93, indicating upward momentum without an overheated market. At the same time, the OBV is steadily rising, suggesting sustained buying activity.
Another technical clue: both the price and indicators are forming higher lows – a classic sign of an emerging upward movement. If Bitcoin breaks through the $88,000 resistance level, a quick rise to $90,000 could follow.
What Has Changed Since 2018
Despite the similarities to 2018, today’s market environment is different. Bitcoin has become a more established asset class with a significantly higher share of institutional investors. The introduction of ETFs (exchange-traded funds) has made access easier for large-scale investors. The infrastructure surrounding crypto assets has also become more professional.
Still, market participants’ behaviour remains similar. Emotions like fear and greed continue to drive price discovery. On-chain data show that the market structure is in a phase comparable to 2018. However, the current shift is happening without much attention from the general public.
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Low Retail Interest – A Signal?
Notably, interest from retail investors remains low so far. This could indicate that institutional investors currently have the upper hand. Historically, retail investors often join an uptrend at a later stage. This gives so-called smart money players a timing advantage.
If the 2018 pattern repeats, the current price increase could mark the beginning of a new bull market. It’s still too early for definitive conclusions – but the signals are mounting.
Our Assessment
The technical patterns and market indicators point to a potential trend reversal in Bitcoin. The similarities to 2018 are striking, but today’s market environment is more complex. Institutional investors, ETFs, and a matured infrastructure are changing the dynamics. Nevertheless, the behaviour of market participants remains a key factor.
If you’re interested in Bitcoin, it’s worth closely monitoring current developments. The market is still quiet – but that might just be the opportunity.
Sources
- CryptoQuant
- TradingView