Bitcoin soared past the $100,000 milestone on Thursday, marking a significant rebound fueled by renewed investor confidence and a major trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom. The deal signals a possible shift in global trade policy under President Donald Trump.
By midday, the cryptocurrency had reached $101,329.97, reflecting a 4.7% daily gain. While still shy of its all-time high of over $109,000 set in January, this surge brings Bitcoin back into the green for the year after facing notable volatility during the spring.
Ethereum’s native token, Ether, also experienced robust momentum, jumping over 14% to $2,050.46 — its highest point since March.
The rally followed the announcement of a landmark trade pact by President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The deal retains a 10% US tariff on British goods, while the UK has agreed to slash its tariffs from 5.1% to 1.8% and expand market access for American products.
This agreement marks the first major international development since Trump’s return to office in January, a period that has seen renewed global trade tensions and widespread market anxiety.
“The reclaiming of $100,000 ranks among Bitcoin’s more impressive comebacks,” noted Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of crypto platform Nexo. He emphasized that those who invested during last month’s lows — when Bitcoin hovered near $74,000 — have seen significant returns.
Trenchev added that long-term investors, those holding Bitcoin for over 155 days, continue to accumulate the asset, helping stabilize the market amid short-term profit-taking. “The speed of the bounce, driven by renewed risk appetite, suggests a retest of the $109,000 high may be within reach,” he said.
Strategic Reserve Tokens and Institutional Investment
Bitcoin’s rise has also been bolstered by broader policy shifts and economic signals. Earlier this week, President Trump designated several digital assets as “strategic reserve tokens,” a move widely seen as a step toward deeper cryptocurrency integration into the national financial infrastructure — despite early-year delays in regulatory reforms.
Cryptocurrency markets had faltered between February and April due to unclear government direction and a global investor pivot toward safer assets amid trade-related market instability.
Joel Kruger, strategist at LMAX Group, pointed to rising institutional flows into Bitcoin ETFs and positive sentiment from geopolitical developments — including potential Chinese stimulus — as key drivers behind the current rally.
“With risk appetite returning, crypto is again thriving as a high-beta investment class,” said Kruger.
Despite Bitcoin’s nearly 20% rise since late April, the broader crypto market remains uneven. Ether, for example, still trades more than 50% below its late 2024 peak, reflecting a slower recovery among altcoins.
As momentum builds, market watchers are closely monitoring whether Bitcoin can break through its previous high and continue pushing toward the $150,000 mark.
