Bitcoin continued its upward momentum in May, adding another 5% to its value and pushing the price near the $80,000 level. According to the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index, Bitcoin closed April at $76,300. Analyst Lee emphasized that three consecutive monthly gains are unprecedented during any bear market in Bitcoin's history. After dropping from a high of $126,000 in October to a low of $60,000 in February, Bitcoin posted positive monthly closes in March, April, and so far in May.
Key Signal for Bear Market End: Three Monthly Green Candles
Lee cited data from CryptoAppsy, noting that the current price level continues to fuel market optimism. “If Bitcoin ends this month above $76,000, the bear market will be definitively over,” he said. He also pointed out that many investors remain influenced by the aftermath of the last crypto crash, failing to fully recognize the strength of the recovery. Technical analysis from veteran trader John Bollinger also shows increasingly prominent bullish signals for Bitcoin.
Geopolitical Tensions Boost Crypto Appeal
Escalating tensions between the US and Iran have triggered a sharp rise in crypto prices, led by Ethereum. Lee argued that geopolitical risks are making digital assets more attractive compared to traditional investments. The rise of cryptocurrencies, combined with new technological trends, is giving digital assets an edge over conventional markets.
Tokenization and AI: A Fundamental Shift in Finance
Lee identified tokenization—blockchain-based asset portability—and the application of artificial intelligence in financial transactions as twin forces revolutionizing the finance world. AI-powered software will increasingly require blockchain networks and tokenized financial systems to enable efficient value transfer.
The explosive growth of stablecoins provides a tangible example. Global stablecoin transaction volumes have now surpassed those of Visa. Citing Grayscale’s analysis, Lee noted expectations that the $300 trillion securities market could eventually migrate to blockchain-based platforms. Tokenization on blockchain infrastructure opens new avenues for financial value creation, potentially transforming how the financial sector operates.
Lee predicts that the leading financial institutions of the future will be shaped by digital-first companies operating on blockchain. Unlike established giants like JPMorgan, firms such as Tether and Jane Street achieve comparable profits with far fewer employees by leveraging blockchain-based transactions. Within a few years, half of the world’s largest financial organizations could be entirely digital in their infrastructure, Lee forecast.