I think every year is repeated. And at the end of 2018 with new volumes will jump even higher than in 2017.
If everyone thinks like you then it is better but that is not what is going to happen. It is better this way, high volumes every minutes of trading, I also thought about it, people change so maybe the ATH will be not be at the end of the year. It will be around Q3 of the year or Q1 of the year 2019. Or another scenario it will take another 3 years to reach it's new record.
To be honest, I also have the same idea. If all everyone is expecting Bitcoin to Soar that high again? it is expected that most ( so called whales ) will do their best for that not to happen. We are at our best to be vigilant and be up to date on what is going on