Will Bitcoin Skepticism Persist Even at $10M? How Psychological Barriers Could Shape Crypto’s Future

Bitcoin advisor: Skepticism will persist even at $10M; adoption hinges on daily use benefit.

byAndres Castro

August 31, 2025, 9:53 AM

Executive Summary

Skepticism regarding Bitcoin’s price potential is predicted to persist even if its value reaches as high as $10 million.

The most significant hurdle for Bitcoin’s widespread adoption is psychological barriers and public perception, rather than technical issues.

Widespread adoption will likely occur when people perceive direct, tangible benefits of Bitcoin in their daily lives, potentially through integration with services like real estate loans.

The Story So Far

The persistent skepticism surrounding Bitcoin’s price potential, even as it reaches new highs, is rooted in psychological barriers rather than technical ones, with widespread adoption hindered by a lack of public understanding and the perceived absence of tangible, everyday utility.

Why This Matters

The enduring skepticism surrounding Bitcoin, even at projected valuations of $5 million or $10 million, highlights that its primary obstacle to mainstream adoption is psychological, not technical or price-related. This suggests that for widespread acceptance, Bitcoin must demonstrate tangible, everyday utility and direct benefits to users’ lives—potentially through innovative integrations like real estate loans—rather than solely relying on its speculative value to convince a hesitant public.

Who Thinks What?

Luke Broyles of The Bitcoin Adviser predicts that skepticism regarding Bitcoin’s price potential will persist even if its value reaches as high as $5 million or $10 million, stating that psychological barriers and the lack of perceived daily utility are the biggest hurdles for widespread adoption.

The general public and skeptics historically question Bitcoin’s ability to climb further after new highs, with many individuals not embracing the asset due to a lack of understanding of its mechanics or not seeing tangible improvements it can bring to their everyday lives.

A Bitcoin adviser predicts that skepticism regarding the cryptocurrency’s price potential will endure, even if its value reaches as high as $10 million. Luke Broyles of The Bitcoin Adviser stated on the Coin Stories podcast that psychological barriers, rather than technical ones, remain Bitcoin’s most significant hurdle, suggesting that widespread adoption will only occur when people perceive its direct benefit to their daily lives.

Persistent Skepticism Amidst Price Predictions

Broyles noted that skepticism has historically followed Bitcoin through every price milestone, with critics questioning its ability to climb further even after reaching new all-time highs. He anticipates this trend will continue, envisioning a scenario where Bitcoin could be valued at $5 million or $10 million, and observers would still doubt its capacity for further growth.

Bitcoin recently achieved several new all-time highs this year, peaking at $124,100 on July 14, according to CoinMarketCap. The asset has since experienced a pullback, trading around $109,290.

Psychological Hurdles and Adoption Drivers

Broyles emphasized that the core challenge for Bitcoin is not its technical prowess but the public’s perception and belief in its utility. He believes many individuals will not fully embrace the asset until they witness tangible improvements it can bring to their everyday lives, a shift he expects to take a considerable amount of time.

To accelerate adoption, Broyles suggested that integrating Bitcoin with real estate loans could be a more impactful strategy than gradually convincing skeptics to make small investments. He posed the idea of enabling individuals to refinance their homes and convert equity into Bitcoin as a significant catalyst.

This perspective aligns with broader challenges in cryptocurrency adoption, where a lack of understanding remains a primary obstacle. An August 2024 survey indicated that 43% of respondents had not used crypto technology because they were unsure of its mechanics.

Ultimately, the long-standing debate over Bitcoin’s future price trajectory appears set to continue, with experts highlighting that overcoming psychological barriers and demonstrating practical, everyday utility will be crucial for its widespread acceptance and continued growth, potentially far beyond current valuations.