Bitcoin jumps 22.7% in a week; Strive CEO says bear market is over

Bitcoin capped a sharp seven-day rally with a weekly close near record territory, rising 22.7% to end the week around $77,241–$77,387. The move added about $14,264 in a single week, the largest weekly gain in dollar terms. Strive CEO Matt Cole said Bitcoin's breakout versus both gold and the U.S. dollar points to an end to the bear market. He argues that Bitcoin priced in gold is signaling a powerful next cycle, supported by a "scarcity" narrative in an AI-driven world where digital goods become easier to replicate. Market catalysts included U.S. Treasury activity and renewed institutional buying. Bitcoin strengthened after the U.S. Treasury raised the maximum size of long-dated bond buybacks from $2 billion to at least $4 billion, a shift that helped push yields lower and weighed on the dollar—conditions often seen as supportive for scarce assets. Institutional demand was also visible in ETF flows. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs drew $1.92 billion over the week, according to SoSoValue, the strongest inflow since October 2025. Risk appetite improved broadly across crypto: the Crypto Fear and Greed Index climbed to 78, its highest since December 2024 and near the "extreme greed" zone. Bitcoin's gold ratio rose to 16.73 ounces, the highest since May. Cole noted the metric has historically preceded major reversals in the dollar price. Cole expects any meaningful pullback to be met with strong buying over the next 12 to 18 months. Even after the surge, Bitcoin remains below Strive's average acquisition price of $94,345. Strive holds 20,246 BTC, ranking seventh among publicly listed corporate holders, and the position still shows an unrealized loss of about $350 million. Some analysts warned the rapid advance could invite a retracement, with traders watching spot volume, ETF inflows, funding rates, and open interest for signs of excessive leverage. Zeus Research analyst Dominick John flagged $80,000 as the primary near-term target, with $85,000 to $90,000 possible if liquidity and ETF demand hold. Under sustained supportive conditions, $100,000 could come into view. Disclosure: This content is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. CoinCryptoNewz is not responsible for losses. Readers should conduct their own research before making financial decisions.