2017 as said saw a great deal of interest and accumulation in the price. I think 2018 is an revision year, a time for digesting gains. Sounds boring but the advances come partially from work and consolidation that occurs in these less rapid areas. The genuine growth in demand and development will be taking place as it has in other years, 2017 also saw alot of unneeded speculation and pointless promotion beyond a genuine usage of BTC.
There'll be many hidden geniuses out there who can see a purpose for BTC network and where it is lacking in market use beyond speculation, really these are the people who really drive the long term price wherever that may be settled we do not know but it relies on this growth.
Whales on exchanges are just making a big splash while these guys are beneath the waves changing the tides of global commerce which is always going to result in big changes and opportunties when the world notices