TL;DR
- Raoul Pal argues that Bitcoin is in a stage comparable to Google in 2017, when the company already had a strong network but still significant growth ahead.
- Recent increases in users and on-chain activity suggest accelerated global expansion for Bitcoin.
- Pal also emphasizes that Ethereum remains earlier in its cycle, offering even greater potential for future adoption.
Raoul Pal states that Bitcoin’s current expansion resembles Google’s early global scale-up, describing a fast-evolving network where adoption drives much of the asset’s value. He notes that the sector keeps attracting new participants who reinforce the network model through sustained activity.
Network Growth And Bitcoin Momentum
Pal explains that Bitcoin operates as a system shaped by connections among users, companies, and services that integrate payments and custody infrastructure. The rise in active addresses and daily transactions reinforces the idea of a network expanding through participation. Additional growth comes from cross-border settlements, payment processors, and financial platforms that continue building tools around Bitcoin’s base layer. Over the past year, financial institutions and infrastructure providers have widened their involvement, adding more activity to the ecosystem and accelerating the pace at which new services connect to the network.
He compares this moment to when Google strengthened its search engine before pushing into cloud services and advanced applications. According to Pal, Bitcoin stands at a similar inflection point, with core technology already functioning at scale while additional layers of usage continue developing rapidly. The expansion of Lightning, tokenization pilots, and rising integration with fintech firms demonstrates how multiple applications emerge from a single, resilient network.
Bitcoin In The Context Of Digital Platforms
Pal argues that Bitcoin shares structural similarities with platforms such as Google, Meta, and Amazon, where value emerges from user interaction and overall ecosystem growth. He underscores that these platforms gained relevance once they reached a level of connectivity that unlocked new services. Referring to principles aligned with Metcalfe’s Law, he notes that value increases as more participants join and activity intensifies across the network. This model helps explain Bitcoin’s continued institutional inflows and rising relevance in global markets.
He adds that Ethereum progresses at an earlier phase, supported by its structure for smart contracts and decentralized applications. Developers continue launching tools that expand the utility of the network, from settlement systems to new financial architectures. This steady expansion positions both networks as digital platforms strengthened by sustained user growth.
Pal projects that Bitcoin will continue consolidating its role as a global network used for transfers, value preservation, and digital infrastructure.
