Bitcoin’s Institutional Boom Continues as Price Holds Above $100K

Bitcoin's surge past $100,000 has reignited conversations about its role in modern finance—this time, with a growing institutional twist.

Bitcoin’s institutional narrative continues to heat up as the flagship crypto holds above the key price level of $100,000.

Coinbase executive John D’Agostino made the point that Bitcoin no longer falls into the same category as tech stocks.

“It’s a digital commodity, more like gold than growth equities,” he said in an interview on CNBC on August 17.

According to D’Agostino, the main factor in this view is scarcity, which is generally not a concern for tech stocks but rather a defining characteristic of Bitcoin.

This view of Bitcoin is becoming increasingly relevant as more institutional money flows into the crypto space.

According to D’Agostino, more than $5.5 billion has recently flowed into spot Bitcoin ETFs, a figure that becomes more impressive considering that financial advisors aren’t yet recommending these funds.

These funds are being custodied by Coinbase, and according to D’Agostino, they are outpacing direct Bitcoin buys, suggesting that institutions may prefer to invest in regulated vehicles rather than self-custody.

“I think when you begin to see advisors recommending these ETFs...that could open the floodgates,” D’Agostino added.

While bullish on Bitcoin, D’Agostino was more cautious about the wider crypto landscape.

He described most tokens outside the top 20 as speculative and comparable to early-stage startups—capable of high returns but mostly destined to fail.

On regulation, he called for tighter, clearer frameworks that ensure fair play across the board.

He didn’t shy away from the topic of insider trading in Congress either, insisting that lawmakers and retail traders alike should be held to the same ethical standards.

Overall, the narrative around Bitcoin is shifting rapidly. As institutional money pours in and traditional investors warm up to the crypto sphere, the next chapter may look less like Silicon Valley hype—and more like Wall Street maturity.