DIGIVESTASI – The CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), a Bitcoin mining company, Fred Thiel, mentioned several factors that could potentially drive Bitcoin prices higher in 2025 during a recent interview with FOX Business. Thiel explained that the reserve of Bitcoin in the U.S., increasing institutional adoption through Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, and the possibility of a more favorable regulatory environment under the upcoming Trump administration are key drivers for Bitcoin prices.

In related developments, a poll conducted by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor revealed that 77.7% of 65,164 participants plan to increase their Bitcoin holdings in the coming year. This finding aligns with MARA’s shift in strategy, where the company has implemented a new treasury policy aimed at retaining all the Bitcoin it mines. As a result, MARA's holdings have surged from 15,174 Bitcoin at the beginning of the previous year to 44,394 Bitcoin by the end of 2024.

MARA’s Bitcoin reserves, currently valued at around USD 4.3 billion, position it as the second-largest holder of Bitcoin among publicly traded companies, after MicroStrategy, which holds 446,400 Bitcoin. The value of MARA's holdings has increased by nearly 120% over the past year, reflecting the broader positive trend in the cryptocurrency market.

Thiel also recommended that retail investors, including his children, set aside a small amount of Bitcoin each month and adopt a more flexible investment approach. "Over two, three, or four years, Bitcoin tends to grow, and that’s what many people have experienced, with Bitcoin typically rising between 29% and 50% per year during most periods," Thiel said, as quoted by Yahoo Finance on Tuesday (January 7, 2025).

However, Thiel acknowledged that Bitcoin remains a highly volatile asset compared to traditional investments, which can be a challenge for some investors.