Bitcoin Price Prediction: Fed Meeting and ETF Flows Put BTC-USD $124K–$250K in Play

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Fed Meeting and ETF Flows Put BTC-USD $124K–$250K in Play

BTC holds $115,500 as the Fed decision looms; ETF inflows exceed $2.3B, resistance sits at $117,500, with long-term targets up to $250K | That's TradingNEWS

TradingNEWS Archive 9/16/2025 4:09:31 PM
Crypto BTC/USD BTC USD

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) Stabilizes Near $115K as Fed Sparks Market Caution

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is holding around $115,500, with intraday gains of 0.5% as traders balance optimism from ETF inflows with hesitation ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate decision. The range between $114,400 and $116,000 has capped volatility in the past 24 hours, while resistance near $117,300–$117,500 remains the critical ceiling to watch. Despite September’s historical weakness, BTC has gained 6% month-to-date, showing resilience as risk appetite persists.

ETF Inflows Drive Institutional Demand for Bitcoin

Spot Bitcoin ETFs absorbed $642 million in inflows on Friday, pushing the weekly total to $2.34 billion, the strongest tally since mid-July. Institutions continue to dominate the demand side, with ETF participation proving to be the most persistent support for Bitcoin in 2025. Inflows into Ethereum ETFs totaled $637 million over the same week, yet Bitcoin remains the deeper liquidity vehicle. Analysts estimate that every $1 billion in Bitcoin ETF inflows adds 3% to price, while Ethereum’s smaller float doubles that sensitivity.

Corporate treasuries reinforce the institutional picture. MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) expanded its balance sheet by 525 BTC, worth nearly $60 million, bringing total holdings to 638,985 BTC valued at over $73 billion. At the same time, whale wallets (1,000–10,000 BTC) reduced holdings by 324,000 BTC since March, and “humpbacks” (10,000+ BTC) shed 391,000 BTC. That total of 715,000 BTC distributed into the market was largely absorbed by mid-tier “shark” wallets (100–1,000 BTC), which have accumulated nearly 1 million BTC since July—signaling structural redistribution and strengthening support at lower levels.

Technical Picture: Consolidation or Deeper Pullback Ahead?

Bitcoin remains locked between $107,000 support and $123,000 resistance. The 20-day EMA sits at $113,365, providing a buffer if short-term selling accelerates, while the RSI at 56 signals neutrality with room for a decisive move. A breakout above $117,500 would trigger liquidity clusters and force shorts to cover, opening the door to $124,474 and possibly $141,900.

On the downside, analysts point to the $111,000–$113,000 range as the decisive demand zone. Data shows 5.5% of total BTC supply was transacted in this band, highlighting it as one of the strongest accumulation areas of 2025. Breaching below would expose BTC to $108,000 and potentially the $92,000 CME futures gap, an area often described as a “magnet” during corrective cycles. Such a retracement would clear leverage and could reset momentum for the next leg higher.

On-Chain Data Confirms Holder Conviction

Exchange balances continue to decline, underscoring the shift of coins into cold storage and signaling reduced sell pressure. The URPD (UTXO Realized Price Distribution) shows dense clusters between $110K and $113K, indicating conviction among fresh buyers. Miner activity also aligns with this bullish thesis, as accumulation has picked up in the $112K region.

Liquidation heatmaps add another bullish indicator: a dense cluster of short liquidations sits above $117K. Should BTC push through resistance, this layer could amplify momentum sharply upward as traders are forced to cover.

Macro Headwinds and Dollar Weakness Shape Near-Term Moves

The Federal Reserve’s September policy meeting is the central risk event. Markets price in a 96% probability of a 25 bps cut and a 4% chance of 50 bps. With 10-year Treasury yields steady near 4.03% and the Dollar Index slipping to 96.3, its weakest since 2021, Bitcoin’s role as a hedge asset has gained prominence. Gold’s surge beyond $3,721/oz adds further weight to the safe-haven narrative.

Still, risks remain. Sticky inflation from tariffs may limit the Fed’s dovish messaging, which could cause short-term disappointment in speculative assets like BTC. If equities, currently at record highs, roll over after the Fed decision, Bitcoin could briefly test its lower support before stabilizing.

 

 

Long-Term Projections: From $120K Resistance to $250K by 2030

If Bitcoin clears $117,500, the next supply barrier is at $124,474. Analysts warn sellers will defend heavily at that level, but a breakthrough would unlock upside toward $130,000–$150,000. Beyond this cycle, forecasts project Bitcoin climbing to $250,000 by 2030, supported by institutional-grade products, the 2024 halving-driven supply squeeze, and government-level adoption such as the U.S. initiative to consider a one-million-BTC reserve.

The number of public companies holding Bitcoin surpassed 150 in 2025, doubling in six months. This trend highlights the transition of Bitcoin from a speculative asset to a treasury reserve instrument. Combined with ETF inflows and redistribution away from whales, the structural case for higher valuations remains robust.

Verdict: BTC-USD is a Buy on Dips Into $111K–$113K Zone

The evidence points to Bitcoin consolidating at a pivotal point. ETF demand, structural redistribution of supply, declining exchange balances, and weakening dollar conditions all argue for continuation higher. The main risks lie in the Fed’s tone and potential flushes into the $111K–$113K support or deeper toward $104K–$92K.

Based on the current structure, Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is a BUY on dips into the $111K–$113K band, with upside targets at $124K, $130K, and $150K in the medium term. The long-term outlook supports $250K by 2030, making near-term volatility an opportunity rather than a threat.

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