Bitcoin Reaches Intraday High of $87,470 as Market Optimism Grows

Bitcoin reached an intraday high of $87,470 at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, amid heightened market optimism driven by political, regulatory, and macroeconomic factors.

Bitcoin (BTC) touched an intraday high of $87,470 at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, amid heightened market optimism fueled by political, regulatory, and macroeconomic factors.

The leading cryptocurrency briefly reached the milestone during a volatile trading session, with real-time data from Benzinga Pro showing bitcoin hovering around $87,357 at 8:08 p.m. EDT, with its intraday peak recorded at $87,470.

As the Federal Reserve prepared for its March 19 policy meeting, with officials poised to keep interest rates on hold, market observers noted its role in today's market moves.

No immediate rate changes were announced, but bitcoin's sensitivity to macroeconomic shifts likely contributed to the day's volatility.

Political developments also buoyed crypto markets, including President Donald Trump's plans to speak at the Digital Asset Summit in New York City on Thursday, March 20.

Institutional adoption remained a key driver, with U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) logging $209 million in net inflows on March 18.

Some speculators estimate these funds could be holding over 1.5 million BTC by 2026.

Last week, North Carolina lawmakers proposed a bill that would allow state funds to allocate up to 10% of their holdings to bitcoin, showcasing the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies among public institutions.

Bitcoin currently secures a valuation of $1.73 trillion, boasting a 60.7% share of the total cryptocurrency market—a testament to its unrivaled gravitational pull.

Global trading activity expanded sharply in the past 24 hours, increasing by 42% to reach $102 billion, with BTC claiming $35 billion of that sum.

While the asset hovers at $87,357 globally, a premium persists in South Korea, where traders are paying $88,072 for the coin.

Binance takes the lead in today's exchange activity, serving as the central hub for BTC transactions, closely followed by Coinbase and Bybit in a high-stakes race for liquidity.

By 8:50 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, BTC slipped below the $87,000 range once again, trading at $86,396 per unit. The crypto asset is now standing 20.1% below its all-time high reached on Jan. 20, 2025, when Trump was sworn in. See Also: Trump To Speak At Digital Asset Summit In New York City On Thursday