Bitcoin Price Hits Record $111,814 Driven by Corporate Buying, Trump-Linked Crypto Influence, and U.S. Fiscal Concerns

On Bitcoin Pizza Day, May 22, 2025, Bitcoin surged to a record high of $111,814 amid notable developments in institutional adoption and the increasing intertwining of crypto with U.S. politics. The rally was attributed to aggressive buying by corporations and institutions—led by Michael Saylor’s Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy)—as well as ETFs and governments, which collectively acquired 225,000 BTC in 2025, while retail investors sold a net 247,000 BTC. This movement comes in the wake of heightened U.S. fiscal concerns, including a controversial federal budget bill, ballooning national debt, and a weakening U.S. dollar, prompting traders to view Bitcoin as a potential safe haven asset. Political acceptance of crypto was underscored when President Donald Trump hosted a private dinner for the top 220 holders of the $TRUMP token, with notable blockchain figures like TRON’s Justin Sun in attendance. Sun, the largest $TRUMP holder and strategic advisor to Trump-associated World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has invested $75 million into the project. Regulatory milestones, such as the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act and new stablecoin bills, further signal deepening mainstream acceptance. However, analysts warn of bubble risks as corporate and institutional buying is leveraged and demands ongoing capital inflow. Retail enthusiasm is waning, with many shifting toward physical gold as their preferred safe haven, and surveys in regions like Singapore show declining crypto ownership despite high awareness. Market participants caution that any reversal in corporate appetite or distress among leveraged buyers could trigger a sharp correction. For crypto traders, these developments reflect a shifting market structure increasingly dominated by institutions, with far-reaching implications for trading strategy, sentiment, and regulatory risk.