Bitcoin’s Strong Comeback: Heading Toward $100,000 Mark?

The logo of the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Bitcoin with the words “Approval of Exchange-Traded Funds” (Reuters)
The logo of the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Bitcoin with the words “Approval of Exchange-Traded Funds” (Reuters)
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Bitcoin’s Strong Comeback: Heading Toward $100,000 Mark?

The logo of the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Bitcoin with the words “Approval of Exchange-Traded Funds” (Reuters)
The logo of the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Bitcoin with the words “Approval of Exchange-Traded Funds” (Reuters)

Bitcoin, the top cryptocurrency, has bounced back strongly, recovering all losses since the crypto market downturn in May 2022. Today, it’s steadily nearing its record high of $64,000, last seen in November 2021.

With investors rushing into cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Bitcoin's price is rising rapidly, bringing it back to early 2021 levels.

The value of Bitcoin, the biggest cryptocurrency by market cap, jumped 3.4% to $62,205 after briefly touching $63,933 overnight Thursday, its highest level since late 2021.

This rise shows renewed confidence in the cryptocurrency market, helped by ETFs making crypto trading easier for investors.

US market sentiment towards Bitcoin is shifting positively, with big investors continuing to buy Bitcoin. This suggests long-term optimism and makes Bitcoin more appealing to investors looking for steady gains.

This surge is a big moment for Bitcoin and could lead to more growth in the future. It also shows Bitcoin is gaining acceptance as an investment.

Bitcoin holders expect the price to keep rising, possibly exceeding $69,000.

As Bitcoin hits new highs, 2024 is predicted to be its big year, with expectations reaching $100,000.

Bitcoin surged notably after approval was granted for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on immediate Bitcoin.

Optimism grew when the US Securities and Exchange Commission greenlit 11 of these funds in mid-January, allowing institutional investors to join the Bitcoin market, leading to increased demand and significant price rises.

These funds allow institutional investors to trade Bitcoin at its current price. Previously, Bitcoin ETFs were limited to trading futures contracts, complex financial tools suitable only for experienced investors.

After the approval of the first Bitcoin ETFs for immediate trading in the US, the world’s oldest cryptocurrency skyrocketed. It surged over 42% since the year began, jumping from under $50,000 at approval time to over $60,000 today.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.