As Bitcoin surges past $100,000 in 2025, investors are experiencing an eerie sense of déjà vu. The cryptocurrency’s trajectory mirrors its 2017 bull run with uncanny precision. Back then, Bitcoin rocketed from $1,000 to nearly $20,000. Now it’s the same story, just with more zeros.
The resemblance is striking. Both cycles featured three major rallies punctuated by nerve-wracking corrections. Both saw 140% increases from previous all-time highs. Volatility patterns? Practically twins. It’s like watching a rerun, except everyone’s portfolios are much fatter this time around.
Market sentiment feels like a carbon copy too. While 2017 was fueled by retail FOMO—regular folks mortgaging homes to buy magic internet money—2025 has seen Wall Street suits elbowing their way in. Different players, same game. Social media buzz is through the roof, and the Google Trends chart for “Bitcoin” looks like a carbon copy from eight years ago. The Fear and Greed Index? Pegged at “extreme greed” again. Shocking.
Retail mortgaged homes in 2017. Wall Street elbows in for 2025. Different suits, identical greed index. History rhymes.
The regulatory landscape has evolved, though. 2017’s Wild West of ICOs gave way to 2025’s more mature environment with ETF approvals. The Bitcoin ETF trading that commenced on January 11, 2024 marked a pivotal shift in market legitimacy. Governments still can’t decide if they love or hate Bitcoin. Some things never change.
Technological progress marches on. SegWit and Lightning Network were the hot topics in 2017; now it’s Taproot and Layer 2 solutions. The nerds keep building while everyone else watches price charts.
Macroeconomic backdrops share similarities too. Both cycles unfolded against uncertain economic conditions—low interest rates then, post-pandemic recovery and inflation fears now. Bitcoin continues its audition as a hedge against financial system chaos. Market experts note this current bull run exhibits all the classic bull signs including rising market capitalization and increased institutional investment.
Market infrastructure has matured dramatically. The rickety exchanges of 2017 have given way to robust institutional services. Media coverage has evolved from outright mockery to reluctant respect. Looking at the price charts, the dramatic 113.78% increase from 2024 to 2025 shows how history repeats itself with magnified returns.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Bitcoin’s 2025 performance is 2017 all over again—just with higher stakes and bigger players.
