The face of the cryptocurrency market is evolving rapidly.

On one side, individuals clinging to every satoshi. On the other, institutions ready to commit colossal sums.

The face of the cryptocurrency market is evolving rapidly. On one side, individuals clinging to every satoshi. On the other, institutions ready to commit colossal sums. However, the price of Bitcoin does not always follow the same trajectory for these two groups. In Dubai, during the Cointelegraph LONGITUDE panel, major players sounded the alarm. According to them, soon, only the largest wallets will be able to afford a bitcoin.

When giants enter the bitcoin ring

First, the rise of institutional buying raises questions. Will bitcoin reach one million dollars as predicted by someone close to Satoshi? Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1inch, issued a sharp warning: “Every retail investor should consider obtaining at least one bitcoin – very soon, they will no longer be able to afford it.”

Individuals, already pressed by their daily obligations, lack time to accumulate crypto at a sustained pace.

However, it is the growing adoption by exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that captures the spotlight. Just during the week of April 21 to 25, these ETFs recorded more than 3 billion dollars in inflows.

This massive flow clearly illustrates the growing confidence of institutions in “digital gold,” especially during times of macroeconomic uncertainty. Consequently, the price pressure was felt well before individuals could react.

Moreover, the geopolitical hedge offered by bitcoin appeals to major investors. During the same panel, Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, stated that Bitcoin remains the only true protection against inflation and international trade frictions.

When Donald Trump announced drastic tariffs in April, the price of bitcoin soared, proving how much cryptocurrency functions as a shield outside traditional channels.

A future where even countries fight over satoshis

Next, the outlook darkens for individuals. If the United States begins strategic bitcoin purchases, they could quickly leave small savers behind.

Kunz doesn’t mince words: “I am almost certain we will soon see countries competing for the most bitcoins.” In this context, a bitcoin could become a state luxury product before being an asset accessible to all.

Indeed, as of May 1, Bitcoin ETFs and other institutional funds held over $128 billion in BTC. Added to that are about $73 billion spread across corporate treasuries. These figures reveal an unprecedented concentration of holdings. Consequently, the price of bitcoin strengthens, fueled by liquidity pockets far larger than those of retail investors.

Nevertheless, this dynamic could play in favor of a spectacular rise. According to some analysts, institutional demand could propel bitcoin up to $200,000 by the end of the year.

In the longer term, adoption by financial players could even push the price above one million dollars by 2029. Under these conditions, individuals risk no longer keeping pace.

Finally, one last point deserves reflection: sovereign holdings. The United States, China, and the United Kingdom collectively hold over $130 billion in bitcoin, even though part comes from confiscations. In any case, when governments eye bitcoin as a strategic reserve, the global market shrinks even more for individual investors.

In short, the confrontation between small holders and institutional giants is already underway. As flows into bitcoin intensify, the price each will have to pay will diverge increasingly. On one side, a few thousand dollars. On the other, several hundred thousand. From then on, the question is no longer if one will buy bitcoin, but at what price? It is already close to 100,000 dollars.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.