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Bitcoin Surges Past $94,000, Triggering $635 Million Liquidation: Is The $100k Milestone Next?

Introduction

The cryptocurrency market is once again dominating financial headlines, with Bitcoin’s latest rally stirring both excitement and caution. On April 24, 2025, Bitcoin surpassed the $94,000 mark for the first time in several weeks, a milestone that set off a wave of liquidations across leveraged positions. According to data from CoinMarketCap, over $635 million was liquidated within a 24-hour window — one of the largest wipeouts since late 2023.

This surge comes amid a mix of bullish macroeconomic developments, technical momentum, and speculative fervor surrounding the elusive $100,000 Bitcoin price target. As market volatility returns, traders and long-term investors alike are revisiting their strategies, with some bracing for a potential short squeeze that could push prices into six-figure territory.

The Anatomy Of The Bitcoin Rally

Bitcoin’s move past $94,000 was not an isolated spike but rather the result of a multi-day bullish trend fueled by broader market factors and high-stakes trading activity. Several key drivers have been identified as contributors to the latest surge.

Institutional Buybacks And Macroeconomic Shifts

The renewed buying pressure appears to be partially driven by institutional interest. Major asset managers, including pension funds and hedge funds, have quietly re-entered the market, taking advantage of early Q2 price dips. The U.S. Treasury’s recent buyback program — aimed at injecting liquidity into bond markets — has also played a role by increasing cash reserves that are partially flowing into alternative assets like Bitcoin.

Simultaneously, a weakening U.S. dollar, along with renewed geopolitical concerns in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, has rekindled the narrative of Bitcoin as a “digital gold” safe haven. As traditional market volatility rises, Bitcoin is benefiting from capital rotation strategies favoring decentralized assets.

Liquidations: Fueling The Fire

Perhaps the most dramatic component of Bitcoin’s recent price action is the widespread liquidation of leveraged positions. According to derivative market data from exchanges like Binance, OKX, and Bybit, over $635 million in leveraged futures contracts were liquidated in the 24-hour period ending April 24.

Liquidation occurs when traders using borrowed funds cannot meet margin requirements, prompting exchanges to forcibly close positions. This not only amplifies market volatility but also tends to trigger a domino effect, accelerating price movement in the direction of the trend.

In this case, the vast majority of liquidations were short positions — bets that Bitcoin’s price would fall. As these positions were closed, buy orders were executed at market price, adding further upward pressure to Bitcoin’s price. This phenomenon, often referred to as a short squeeze, is a well-known catalyst for rapid price spikes.

Technical Outlook: Key Resistance And Support Levels

The technical chart of Bitcoin reveals a well-defined breakout from the consolidation zone between $88,000 and $91,500. Several analysts point to the breakout from this zone as the key signal confirming bullish momentum.

Key Resistance at $96,500

Bitcoin’s immediate resistance now stands near the $96,500 level — a price point that acted as a reversal zone during the rally of early 2024. Should the price breach this level convincingly, the psychological milestone of $100,000 will become the next target.

Support at $91,000 and $88,200

On the downside, support has formed around the $91,000 range, which previously served as resistance. A breakdown below this could open the door for a retracement toward $88,200. However, given the current momentum and liquidation-driven buying, such a pullback seems unlikely unless macro conditions shift abruptly.

Whale Activity And On-Chain Insights

Blockchain analytics firms like Glassnode and Santiment have reported a noticeable uptick in whale activity. Wallets holding more than 10,000 BTC have added significantly to their positions in the past two weeks. This accumulation pattern tends to precede major price moves, as large holders often accumulate during consolidation phases and distribute during bullish euphoria.

Additionally, Bitcoin’s network hashrate and on-chain transaction volume continue to rise, signaling robust network health and increased adoption. The Bitcoin Lightning Network, which facilitates fast and cheap BTC transactions, has also reached new capacity highs, adding to the utility narrative supporting long-term bullishness.

Market Sentiment And Fear & Greed Index

The crypto Fear & Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, has shifted firmly into “Extreme Greed” territory. This reflects heightened optimism among traders, although it also raises concerns about potential overheating. Historically, such sentiment levels have preceded both blow-off tops and consolidation phases.

Market influencers on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram are once again engaging in hyper-bullish predictions, with many calling for a $120,000 to $150,000 BTC price within the next quarter. While such forecasts should be treated with caution, they highlight the rising retail enthusiasm that often accompanies strong rallies.

What This Means For Altcoins?

Bitcoin dominance — the percentage of total crypto market capitalization held by BTC — has risen to 52.3%, indicating that capital is rotating back into Bitcoin from altcoins. This often occurs at the early stage of a bull cycle, where investors seek stability before rotating into riskier assets.

Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Chainlink (LINK) have all seen minor gains, but nowhere near the magnitude of Bitcoin’s rally. If Bitcoin maintains its upward trajectory and approaches $100,000, historical trends suggest that altcoins could follow with delayed yet explosive rallies.

Regulatory Winds: Is The U.S. SEC Preparing For A Shift?

Behind the price action, subtle regulatory developments could play a pivotal role in shaping the market’s direction. Recent comments from SEC Chair Gary Gensler suggested a willingness to consider spot Bitcoin ETFs, provided stricter custody solutions are in place. This is a significant shift from the agency’s historically cautious stance.

Moreover, several large financial firms, including BlackRock and Fidelity, are rumored to be lobbying for Bitcoin ETF approvals — a move that could unlock billions in institutional capital if approved. While the timing of any decision remains uncertain, the regulatory narrative has softened considerably in recent months.

Can Bitcoin Hit $100,000 In The Coming Weeks?

The million-dollar question — or perhaps the hundred-thousand-dollar one — is whether Bitcoin can break through the psychological and technical barrier at $100,000. Based on current momentum, market structure, and macro tailwinds, it’s certainly within reach.

However, market participants should remain cautious. Parabolic moves often come with sharp corrections, especially in a market where leverage is high and sentiment is near euphoric. Traders are advised to watch for overbought signals and be prepared for short-term volatility, even if the long-term trend remains bullish.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin’s surge to $94,000 and the subsequent $635 million in liquidations highlight both the opportunities and risks inherent in the cryptocurrency market. While the momentum appears to favor a continued rally — possibly past the $100,000 mark — the path forward is likely to be marked by volatility, macroeconomic shifts, and regulatory updates.

For long-term investors, this rally reinforces the thesis of Bitcoin as a maturing asset class with increasing relevance in a diversified portfolio. For traders, it is a reminder that timing, risk management, and sentiment analysis are more critical than ever.

As we move deeper into 2025, Bitcoin’s story continues to evolve — blending speculation, institutional adoption, and financial revolution into one of the most dynamic narratives in modern market history.