Bitcoin surged to new heights on Wednesday, reaching a record price of over $76,000, following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.
The sharp increase in Bitcoin's value reflected growing optimism among investors, who believed that a Trump administration would create a more favorable environment for cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin Hits New Record as Trump's Victory Fuels Cryptocurrency Surge
Bitcoin's price jumped nearly 8%, surpassing its previous record set in March. Other cryptocurrencies saw similar gains, with Ethereum, the second-largest digital currency, rising by 8%. Dogecoin, favored by Elon Musk, soared by as much as 18%.
This surge was not limited to just cryptocurrencies, as crypto-related stocks also experienced a boost, AP News said.
Coinbase, one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, saw its share price increase by 17%. Robinhood Markets, a platform for buying and selling digital assets, rose by 12%, while MicroStrategy, a company that holds large amounts of Bitcoin, saw its stock climb by 10%.
Trump's win has had a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market. Although he was initially skeptical of crypto, Trump changed his stance ahead of the election and embraced cryptocurrencies.
He has since pledged to make the US "the crypto capital of the planet" and has expressed plans to create a "strategic reserve" of Bitcoin. His campaign even accepted donations in cryptocurrency, and Trump has taken steps to court the crypto community, including attending a Bitcoin conference in July and launching a new venture, World Liberty Financial, to trade cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin's rally is part of a broader crypto boom, with its price up by 77% this year alone. The surge was fueled by expectations that Trump's presidency will bring about more supportive policies for cryptocurrencies.
Investors Eye Regulatory Shifts, New Investment Opportunities
In addition to Trump's win, many investors were hopeful that upcoming regulatory changes would further support the growth of digital assets. David Lawant, head of research at FalconX, noted that the election outcome was a "best-case scenario" for the crypto industry.
According to CoinDesk via MSN, with a more favorable regulatory environment expected, investors anticipate the launch of new cryptocurrency products, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that could offer more opportunities for investing in digital assets.
Despite the excitement, some analysts cautioned that there could be short-term risks. These include potential last-minute enforcement actions by outgoing officials, which could impact the market. However, many believe that the long-term outlook for cryptocurrencies remains bright.
Bitcoin's new record marks the end of a challenging eight-month period during which the price remained relatively stable. With the election over, investors are looking ahead to the next major event—the Federal Reserve's meeting on Thursday, where it is expected that policymakers will reduce interest rates, further fueling market optimism.
The cryptocurrency market is on a sharp upward trajectory, driven by Trump's win and the prospect of a more crypto-friendly US government. With more clarity expected on regulatory matters, investors are optimistic about the future of digital currencies.