On March 17, 2025, Ki Young Ju, CEO of blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant, made a striking declaration on X (formerly Twitter):
ā#Bitcoin bull cycle is over, expecting 6ā12 months of bearish or sideways price action.ā
This statement, backed by on-chain metrics and market data, has sent shockwaves through the crypto space. With Bitcoin hovering around $95,000ā$100,000, down from its $108,268 all-time high in December 2024, the question on everyoneās mind is: Is the bull run truly over, or is this just another shakeout before a bigger move? š¤
š The Basis of Ki Young Juās Claim
Ki Young Juās prediction isnāt just speculationāitās based on on-chain analytics and historical patterns. Here are the key factors he highlights:
š 1. Bearish Signals from MVRV, SOPR, and NUPL
These key on-chain indicators track whether Bitcoin holders are in profit or loss:
MVRV (Market Value to Realized Value): Suggests the market may be overextended.
SOPR (Spent Output Profit Ratio): Shows that profits from previous transactions are declining, meaning fewer holders are selling at a gain.
NUPL (Net Unrealized Profit/Loss): Indicates a shift toward bearish territory, which historically signals a cooling market.
CryptoQuantās internal modelsāusing a 365-day moving averageāsuggest Bitcoin has reached a cycle turning point.
šø 2. Liquidity is Drying Up
New money entering the market appears to be slowing down. Fresh capital inflows are critical for sustaining price momentum, and Ki Young Ju notes that this demand is waningāa warning sign that the bull cycle might be losing steam.
š 3. Whale Behavior is Shifting
Large Bitcoin holders (whales) are starting to sell at lower prices, suggesting they might be positioning for a longer consolidation or downtrend.
This aligns with CryptoQuantās January 2025 analysis, which predicted a Q1āQ2 2025 peak based on the fact that 36% of Bitcoinās market cap in Q4 2024 consisted of recently traded coinsāa typical sign of a maturing cycle.
š Market Reaction & Key Developments
As of March 18, 2025, Bitcoin is testing key support levels between $93,000ā$95,000, following a 12ā15% correction from its all-time high. The reaction to Juās statement has been intense, with crypto influencers and traders on X echoing bearish sentiment:
š¬ @anneLee_Cool: āBrace for a 6ā12 month winter. I donāt see demand picking up anytime soon.ā
š¬
@AZCoinNews : āCryptoQuantās metrics havenāt been wrong beforeā¦ maybe itās time to take profits.ā
Meanwhile, macro conditions arenāt helping. The U.S. Federal Reserve just announced a 25-basis-point rate cut on March 18, but also reduced the expected 2025 rate cuts from four to just two. This move spooked risk assets, reinforcing the idea that Bitcoin could struggle for upside momentum in the coming months.
š„ The Counterpoint: Why the Bull Cycle May NOT Be Over
Despite Juās prediction, not everyone agrees. Hereās why some analysts still believe Bitcoin has more room to run:
ā³ 1. Historical Cycle Timing Suggests More Upside
Bitcoin halvings have historically led to bull peaks 12ā18 months later. Since the April 2024 halving, that puts the expected top between April and October 2025āmeaning we could still be mid-cycle, not at the end.
š 2. MVRV Z-Score Shows More Growth Potential
The MVRV Z-Score, which measures Bitcoinās valuation relative to its historical norms, hit 2.7 at Bitcoinās $108K peakāfar below the 3.5+ levels seen at previous cycle tops. This suggests Bitcoin could still reach $120,000+ before hitting its true peak.
š¤·āāļø 3. Retail Euphoria Hasnāt Kicked In Yet
Historically, Bitcoinās biggest bull runs end in retail maniaāwhen everyday investors flood in. Ki Young Ju himself noted in 2024 that this "retail bubble" hasnāt formed yet. Google Trends data and exchange sign-ups remain moderate, suggesting we havenāt reached that blow-off top phase typical of past cycles.
š° 4. Big Players Still See Higher Targets
Investment firms like ARK Invest and IntoTheBlock still forecast a mid-2025 peak with targets between $200,000ā$243,000. They argue that Bitcoinās current dip is just a healthy breather before another leg up.
š£ļø Whatās Next? Key Levels & Market Outlook
Juās 6ā12 month sideways/bearish prediction suggests Bitcoin could trade between $80,000ā$100,000 for most of late 2025/early 2026. If Bitcoin loses key support at $93,000, we might see a dip toward $80K or lower.
However, itās important to note that Juās stance has shifted before:
š In February 2025, he suggested this could be Bitcoinās longest bull run, extending into April or beyondāshowing that market conditions can change quickly.
š Final Thoughts: Is This the End or Just a Pause?
Right now, the market hangs in the balance:
ā
Bearish signals (liquidity drying up, whale selling, macro uncertainty) suggest a slowdown.
ā
Bullish factors (historical cycle timing, MVRV data, lack of retail FOMO) suggest upside remains.
The $93,000ā$95,000 zone will be criticalāif Bitcoin bounces here, we could see a push to new highs. If it breaks below, a prolonged correction may be on the horizon.
š Key Factors to Watch:
š ETF inflows/outflowsāWill institutional demand return?
š Macro trendsāWill the Fed reverse course on rates?
š Whale accumulationāAre big players buying or selling?
For now,
$BTC investors should stay cautious, manage risk, and avoid panic selling. Whether this is the end or just a pause, the next few weeks will be crucial in shaping Bitcoinās trajectory.
What do you think? Is the bull run over, or do we have one last rally left? Drop your thoughts below! ššš„
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