Bitcoin rose as global stocks neared a two-month high and in advance of the US payrolls report. The largest cryptocurrency rose as much as 4% to $23,422 on Friday, staying within the range of around $19,000 to $25,000 that’s held it since mid-June. Ether was up as much as 5.4% to $1,678. “The majors continue to trade in a upwards range with a lack of any strong catalysts that would be needed for a breakout,” Genesis strategists Noelle Acheson and Marc Chan wrote in a note Thursday. “Bitcoin is currently trading in the middle of the June-August flag.” Other coins also rose, with Polkadot and Aave gaining more than 5%. ... (full story)