Bitcoin (BTC) recently surged past the $110,000 mark, supported by growing institutional backing and the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs. This comes in after a week of volatility that has seen BTC go below support levels.
However, despite the bullish momentum, Tom Lee, chairman of BitMine, warns the flagship cryptocurrency could still endure a dramatic correction of up to 50%.
BTC's price moving sideways on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview
Institutional Support Supports the Rise
Bitcoin’s latest climb toward the $110,000-plus range is triggered by a significant uptick in institutional interest. Products such as the IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust) offer investors easier exposure to Bitcoin via traditional brokerage platforms.
Additionally, broader regulatory clarity has enabled major banks and asset managers to deepen their crypto strategies. This shift suggests that Bitcoin is steadily transitioning from a niche speculative asset to a more mainstream investment vehicle.
The rally has triggered renewed optimism around price breakout potential toward the $120,000-plus domain.
Tom Lee Sounds Caution, A 50% Bitcoin (BTC) Drop Could Be Next
However, Tom Lee offers a cautionary perspective that many market participants may be overlooking.
Tom argues that despite institutional adoption, Bitcoin remains highly correlated with traditional equity markets. In his words: “If the S&P is down 20 %, Bitcoin could be down 40 %.” Drawing on this dynamic, Lee maintains that a full 50 % collapse remains entirely possible.
The reasoning? Bitcoin has historically amplified stock-market moves. While ETFs and institutional flows may soften the narrative, they do not eliminate Bitcoin’s structural volatility.
Lee also points out the breakdown of the classical four-year Bitcoin market cycle, warning that we may be entering a “longer cycle” with more extreme drawdowns.
His forecast still anticipates Bitcoin reaching between $200,000 and $250,000 by year-end, yet a 50 % correction from those levels would land $100,000–$125,000. If the current $110,000 peak is already the top, a fall toward roughly $55,000 is within his scenario.
What This Means for BTC Investors
For investors tracking Bitcoin’s trajectory, the mix of bullish institutional signals and bearish risk warnings demands a balanced approach.
On one hand, the ETF infrastructure and regulatory progress offer clear legitimacy for Bitcoin as an asset class. On the other, the risk of sharp drawdowns remains under-appreciated, suggesting that future volatility could continue to define Bitcoin’s long-term growth trajectory.
Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD on Tradingview
