This remarkable price increase is largely attributed to institutional investors, as highlighted by Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, who notes that the market has transitioned from being retail-driven to predominantly influenced by institutions.

In 2025, Bitcoin's price has surged by 380% compared to its 2017 peak, reaching approximately $95,000, just 13% shy of its all-time high of $108,786.

Looking ahead, ARK Invest projects that Bitcoin could reach $2.4 million by 2030 due to continued institutional adoption.

Supporting this trend, a recent report from Fidelity reveals that public companies have acquired nearly 350,000 BTC since the US election, purchasing over 30,000 BTC monthly in 2025.

Additionally, Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have seen their second-biggest inflows since inception last week, further indicating growing institutional interest.

Despite these developments, Google Trends data shows a significant decline in public interest, with search volume dropping to around 13% of its peak, reflecting a long-term decline since the major bull runs of 2017 and 2021.

Specifically, Bitcoin's search interest has fallen to a 12-month low score of 28, the lowest since October 2024, suggesting that the correlation between search interest and price has weakened.

This disconnect illustrates that institutions are conducting due diligence without relying on Google Trends, marking a shift in how Bitcoin is perceived and valued.

The decline in search interest may also indicate Bitcoin's maturity as an asset class, as it becomes a well-established concept with fewer new entrants needing to research it.

Moreover, companies like BlackRock and JPMorgan are increasingly incorporating Bitcoin into their financial strategies, highlighting its growing acceptance in mainstream finance.

Horsley emphasizes that the collective effort of millions working to ensure Bitcoin's success is its strongest attribute, suggesting that betting against Bitcoin is akin to opposing a powerful and growing force.

Despite the price recovery, retail investor interest appears to be lacking, as evidenced by the plunge in search interest, indicating a shift in market dynamics.