Bitcoin has surged to a record high amid rising interest from investors and claims that the volatile cryptocurrency is on the way to becoming a mainstream payment method. Having quadrupled in value during 2020, bitcoin began 2021 strongly by breaking through the $30,000 (£22,000) mark for the first time, less than three weeks after first trading above $20,000. On Sunday, it hit a new high of more than $34,800, on the 12th anniversary of the bitcoin network being created. {chart} Bitcoin’s rapid climb has rekindled memories of previous parabolic rallies and crashes. During 2017, it leapt from about $1,000 to peak over ... (full story)