Under Trump, cryptocurrency is set to go mainstream – but that won’t make it any safer for investors | Larisa Yarovaya

Bitcoin ’s price reached $ 100,000 ( 81,917 ) for the first time in history in December 2024 .

Speculative demand and potential for abnormal returns remain key drivers of prices.

Some analysts predict that Bitcoin 's price could range between $78,000 and $ 250,000 in 2025 .

Fuelled by expectations of a more favourable regulatory environment under the Trump administration, increased institutional interest in cryptocurrencies.

Larisa Yarovaya is an associate professor of finance and director of the Centre for Digital Finance at Southampton Business School .

This year , the crypto market is likely to go mainstream, but those who dabble at the fringes may be met with unmet expectations at best and challenges at worst.

Strong political and government endorsements of crypto pose a threat to its decentralisation ethos.