On May 8th, 2025, Bitcoin reclaimed the $100K mark. Many breathed a sigh of relief. The charts turned green. The fear turned quiet, and the common phrase across social media was “ we are so back.”

Just months ago, at the height of the tariff-inspired trade wars, whispers of another lost cycle haunted every corner of the crypto world. When it slipped below $80K, panic selling followed.

But now? The market cap has surged past $3 trillion. The air feels different. 

Is this the start of the 2025 Bull Run?

Nobody knows for sure. But the signs are there. Some loud, some hidden in the noise.

That’s where this Bitcoin Bull Run Checklist comes in. 

In this article, we have gathered the essentials, which include spotting the early signals, mapping out smart exit strategies, and staying sharp when things get, well, a little chaotic.

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Key takeaways

Here’s what you need to watch out for during a Bitcoin bull run:

• Track key price milestones 
• Monitor on-chain activity 
• Watch global events 
• Stay alert for scams 
• Have an exit plan 
• Trade safely on P2P platforms 

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In most cases, a bull run manifests in a buzzy, high-energy phase when optimism floods the market and everyone, from seasoned investors to curious newcomers, starts piling in. Gains can come fast and furious.

So, when someone asks, “What’s a bull run in crypto?” or “What is the bull run in crypto?” They are usually talking about this surge of momentum, hype, and yes, the chance to make serious profits.

Sentiment has been a noticeable buzz in 2025. Prices are moving, sentiment’s shifting, and whispers of another major bull cycle are getting louder. 

But here’s the thing: just riding the wave isn’t enough. These moments can be wild. You need a game plan.

Going into a bull run without a plan? That’s like heading into a thunderstorm without a raincoat. However, with the proper prep, you can lean into the upside while keeping your footing if things get shaky.

A brief history of Bitcoin bull runs 

Bitcoin’s story has been anything but boring. In its history,  bull runs are the highlights. 

2013: Bitcoin hits $1,000

The first big Bitcoin bull run came in 2013, when the coin rocketed from relative obscurity to over $1,000, turning heads and sparking curiosity about this strange new internet money. 

However, that surge was short-lived, and the market cooled off.

2017: Media hype helps Bitcoin rocket up to $20,000

Fast forward to 2017, and things got wild again in the crypto bull run history. Fueled by media hype, surging public interest, and the now-infamous ICO boom, Bitcoin’s price shot up to nearly $20,000 by the year’s end and promptly fell back to earth. 

The 2017 bull run showed that a pattern was starting to emerge: meteoric rise, sharp correction.

2020: Bitcoin becomes the “digital gold”

Then came the 2020–2021 crypto bull run, which had a different vibe. This time, big players such as institutions, corporations, and even some governments had started showing serious interest. 

Bitcoin wasn’t just a curiosity anymore; it was called “digital gold.” 

Against global money-printing and pandemic-era uncertainty, the price soared to around $69,000 in November 2021.

Since then, every bull run has brought more people into the fold, but also a reality check once the dust settles. 

Looking back at these cycles in 2025 helps make sense of where we might be headed next, or at least reminds us that in crypto, what goes up doesn’t always stay up.

When was the last crypto bull run?

Looking back, the last major crypto bull run hit its peak in 2021, and it was a wild ride for crypto investors.  A big part of the momentum in 2021 came from institutions finally getting serious about investing in crypto. 

For instance, institutional investors such as Tesla, MicroStrategy, and other heavyweights started stacking Bitcoin like it was going out of style.

But the 2021 bull run wasn’t just about Bitcoin this time. DeFi was exploding, NFTs were suddenly everywhere (from pixel art to digital apes), and a flood of new investors poured in, chasing opportunity or just the hype. 

During that bull run, it felt like crypto was having a cultural moment, not just a financial one.

The result was that Bitcoin topped out around $69,000, while Ethereum broke through $4,800, setting new all-time highs and drawing even more attention to the space. 

Simply put, this cycle marked a turning point: crypto was starting to be seen as more than just digital money. Tech, finance, art, and speculation were all rolled into one.

So, has the 2025 bull run started?

It’s the question every crypto investor is asking: Has the bull run begun?

So far, there are signs that a bull run is about to start. Bitcoin has just clawed its way back above $100,000, and increasingly respected analysts such as Arthur Hayes are strongly convinced that the new market cycle has commenced.

For example, the recent approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs has injected fresh excitement (and a lot of capital) into the space. 

Additionally, underlying network data supports a bullish view. Long-term holders demonstrate remarkable resilience, indicating accumulation rather than distribution, while network activity is picking up – classic signs often associated with a bull run’s lead-up to or early phase.

Still, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Crypto has a way of keeping even seasoned investors on their toes. While the groundwork for a bull run may be forming, real confirmation usually comes after a longer stretch of upward momentum and broader market buy-in.

In 2025, our answer is this: stay sharp, stay patient. If a bull run is truly underway, it will be known soon enough.

How long will the crypto bull run last?

Trying to pin down exactly how long a Bitcoin bull run will last? Good luck, history has shown us that it’s tricky. There are just too many moving parts. 

Still, if we look at past cycles, there’s a pattern worth noting: bull runs have generally stretched out over 12 to 18 months from when they kick off.

Many of these cycles revolve around the Bitcoin halving, which happens roughly every four years. That’s when the rate of new Bitcoin entering circulation gets cut in half, meaning less supply and the same or rising demand, and historically, that’s been a recipe for price jumps.

That said, no two cycles are the same. Macro conditions, tech shifts, global events, and investor mood can all throw the timeline off. 

So while the 12–18 month window tied to the halving cycle is a helpful reference, it’s not a rulebook. Consider it more of a rough guide than a countdown clock.

Bitcoin bull run checklist: What you need to watch for

1. Track key price milestones

One strategy many investors use during a Bitcoin bull run is tracking key price milestones. These aren’t just numbers, they’re psychological flashpoints. 

When Bitcoin blows past round figures like $75,000 or $100,000, it tends to set off a chain reaction: headlines fly, social media lights up, and suddenly, people on the sidelines start scrambling to get in. 

FOMO kicks in hard.

These levels matter because they grab attention. But here’s the catch: getting swept up in that excitement can lead to impulsive, emotional decisions. That’s where a bit of prep work goes a long way.

💡Pro tip: Go beyond watching the chat or jumping in out of panic, set price alerts for these major levels ahead of time. This way, you’ll know when something big is happening without letting your emotions take the wheel. 

2. Monitor on-chain activity

On-chain data offers a window into the network’s health and behavior, and when things start heating up, a few key signals can tell whether the rally has legs or is running on fumes.

For starters, monitor active wallet addresses. A steady increase means more people are using the network and not just watching from the sidelines. 

But don’t get distracted by every viral spike in activity. The real signal is in the wallets that matter: the big ones. Large holders (think institutions and crypto-native “whales”) tend to move with more intention. If they’re accumulating, that’s worth noting.

When large chunks of BTC get pulled off trading platforms and into private wallets, it’s usually not for a quick flip. 

That’s long-term holding behavior, and it often points to tightening supply, which can help push prices up. On the flip side, if Bitcoin starts flowing back into exchanges, it could mean those holders are prepping to sell. It’s always worth watching.

Then there’s the network’s hash rate. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s a solid pulse check. A rising or steady hash rate during a bull run suggests miners are confident that operations are profitable and the network is secure. 

But if it suddenly drops, especially without a big price dip, that could be a red flag that something’s off.

And here’s a pattern that tends to repeat: retail investors often show up late to the party, usually just as the candles go vertical. 

By tracking the quiet accumulation phase—when the big players are buying before the buzz, it’s possible to spot a bull run’s early signs before it hits mainstream mania.

☝️Tip for beginners: If you’re new to reading on-chain metrics, don’t worry, it’s more accessible than it sounds. Platforms like Tabtrader,  Glassnode, and IntoTheBlock offer tons of data in clean dashboards. 

3. Watch out for global catalysts

Watching what’s happening in the crypto market is essential, but keeping an eye on the world outside crypto is also essential. That’s just as crucial during a potential Bitcoin bull run. 

Global events and economic shifts have a sneaky way of pushing Bitcoin’s price around, and if you’re not paying attention, you might miss the early signs of big moves.

Let’s start with the classic: the Bitcoin halving. The most recent one went down in April 2024, cutting the rate at which new Bitcoin is created. 

While the market doesn’t always react right away, past cycles suggest the real impact plays out over the next year or so. It’s worth keeping tabs on how miners respond and how supply shifts over time.

Central bank interest rate decisions are another major piece of the puzzle. When rates are low, investors tend to seek better returns in riskier assets, including Bitcoin. 

But safer options like bonds start looking more appealing when rates climb, and money can flow out of crypto. Updates from the U.S. Fed, the ECB, and other big players can seriously move markets, so it pays to stay tuned in to what they’re signaling.

Then there’s the ETF effect. The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. in early 2024 made it easier for institutions (and everyday investors) to get exposure.

These kinds of regulatory wins can supercharge market interest. And it doesn’t stop with Bitcoin. Future approvals for other crypto-based ETFs in major markets could open more floodgates. 

Occasionally, traditional finance gives Bitcoin a boost. When banking systems look shaky, like during credit crunches or liquidity scares, some investors turn to alternatives they see as safer or more independent. Bitcoin, thanks to its decentralized nature, often fits that bill. 

And don’t forget the U.S. dollar. A weakening dollar can make Bitcoin look cheaper to international buyers and often signals broader economic stress. 

That combo can draw attention to Bitcoin as a potential hedge. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) is a handy metric to watch, and plenty of finance outlets provide ongoing analysis of currency trends.

4. Watch out for scams and fake promises

While bull runs offer real chances to grow your portfolio, they also tend to draw out scammers like moths to a flame. 

You’ll notice the usual suspects popping up: sketchy promises of “guaranteed returns,” unsolicited messages offering you the “chance of a lifetime,” or platforms that seem too eager to help you get rich with zero effort. If it sounds too good to be true, you know the rest.

One scam that resurfaces every cycle? The fake AI trading bot. These shady operations claim they can make smart, automated trades for you, usually boasting some ridiculous ROI.  

Then there are the impersonators. You might see scammers pretending to be someone big in the crypto space, such as Elon Musk, a well-known influencer, or even a “representative” from a legit exchange. They might be running fake giveaways or trying to trick you into sending crypto.  

Rule of thumb? Never trust random DMs, always double-check links and identities through official channels, and never send crypto to “enter” a giveaway. 

5. Prepare your exit strategy early

Riding a Bitcoin bull run is thrilling; however,  if you don’t plan to take profits, it’s way too easy to get caught up in the hype and watch your gains evaporate.

One of the biggest traps? Trying to “time the top.” Everyone dreams of selling right at the peak, but let’s be real. Even seasoned pros rarely get it right. More often than not, that gamble leads to holding too long and getting stuck when the market turns.

A smarter move is to set profit targets. Pick a few price points beforehand, such as $75K, $90K, or whatever makes sense to you, and commit to selling small portions (say, 10% or 20%) as each milestone hits.  

When it comes time to take those profits, many folks park them in stablecoins like USDT. These are digital assets pegged to real-world currencies (usually the U.S. dollar), which helps protect your gains from crypto’s wild price swings. It’s like stepping off the roller coaster without fully leaving the park.

Platforms like Paxful and others make it pretty easy to swap Bitcoin for stablecoins when you’re ready.  

6. Use P2P platforms to trade safely

Trading Bitcoin through peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms can be a great way to get more payment flexibility and control.

First, make sure you’re using a legit, well-established platform. Paxful has built-in safety systems that make the whole process much more secure. One of the most important tools? Escrow.

Here’s how it works: when you start a trade, the seller’s Bitcoin is temporarily held in escrow by the platform. That Bitcoin doesn’t get released until the seller confirms they’ve received your payment. This setup protects both sides—no one walks away empty-handed unless they’re trying to pull a fast one (and even then, they’ll have a tough time).

Another plus to platforms like Paxful is the sheer variety of payment options; over 500. 

Paxful’s features are  useful not just for convenience, but also for security.  

🦺Read more about Bitcoin trading safety tips: Protecting yourself and your Bitcoin from scams

How to build your Paxful Bitcoin bull run strategy

If you’re riding the wave of a Bitcoin bull run, don’t sit back and hope that it will last. History shows that it doesn’t.  Having a game plan can make a huge difference.   Here are three smart ways to use them on Paxful:

1. Trade: Use arbitrage to your advantage

 During a bull run, price volatility across different payment methods and even different platforms can open up some solid arbitrage opportunities. This way, you will be able to buy low and sell high at a profit. Paxful supports over 500 payment options, which means you can buy Bitcoin cheaper using one method and sell it for more using another. 

👉learn how to get started: Profitable Arbitrage Trading on Paxful

2. Remit  

When Bitcoin is trending up, it can actually become a more cost-effective way to send money across borders. Instead of paying steep fees through banks or money transfer services, which can cost up to 7.34% of the entire amount, you can use your Bitcoin on Paxful to remit funds directly.

👉Learn more: Bitcoin Is Your Best Bet to Send Money Overseas–Here’s Why

3. Earn 

Sure, holding Bitcoin during a bull run can pay off, but there are ways to make your gains work harder. You might reinvest small chunks of profit during market dips, aiming to scoop up more BTC at lower prices. 

Or, if you’re worried about a Sharp pullback, convert part of your holdings into stablecoins like USDT using the Paxful conversion feature. 

Stablecoins like USDT can protect your gains without pulling you out of the crypto ecosystem. When the market cools off or dips, you can strike again.

👉 Learn more: How to convert/swap cryptocurrencies on Paxful

Final thoughts: Go beyond the hype

Riding the waves of a Bitcoin bull run can be thrilling. Despite this, you shouldn’t let the hype steer your decisions. The folks who tend to come out ahead aren’t the ones chasing quick wins; they’re the ones playing the long game. This calls for thinking beyond the headlines. Do your own research before making a decision. 

History backs that up: Bitcoin has rewarded patience far more than panic. So, before you get the urge to throw everything into one coin, take a breath. A steady, balanced approach usually works out better. 

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Important note: These materials are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve significant risks, including potential substantial financial loss, and we do not endorse specific investments, tokens, or projects. Always conduct your own research and consult qualified financial or legal professionals before investing, as Paxful disclaims liability for any losses arising from reliance on these materials, to the fullest extent permitted by law.