SINGAPORE -The world’s most popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin hit a fresh high in Asian trading on Saturday. It rose to a record $56,620, taking its weekly gain to 18%. It has surged more than 92% this year, extending a two-month rally that saw its market capitalisation cross $1 trillion a day earlier.
Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and daily volume, hit a record $2,040.62, for a weekly gain of about 12%.
Bitcoin’s growth have been fuelled by evidence that it is gaining acceptance among mainstream investors and companies. Ether is the digital currency or token that facilitates transactions on the ethereum blockchain. In the crypto world, the terms ether and ethereum have become interchangeable.
Ether futures contracts launched on derivatives exchange CME earlier this month.