NEW DELHI: Bitcoin surpassed $20, for the first time, another milestonein what’s been an eye-popping rally for the controversial digital assetthis year. The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose over 6% to $20, on Wednesday, vindicating forecasts that were scoffed at months ago and leading to even higher prognostications. Bitcoin has almost tripled this year.

The surge also caused a outage in a major US cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase. Its retail and professionalfocused platforms were hit by connection problems and network congestion.
Bitcoin has surged despite a severe crashin March that saw it lose 25% amid the pandemic. Proponents have seized on the narrative that the coin could act as a store of wealth amid supposed rampant central-bank money printing, even as inflation remains mostly muted.

In addition, some Wall Street firms have taken a greater interest, with many seeking to capitalise on its gains in a world of rock-bottom interest rates. Guggenheim Partners, for instance, recently said it might invest up to 10% of its $billion Macro Opportunities Fund in a bitcoin trust.

Bitcoin’s cross above $20, is its second major milestone in recent weeks — the coin at the end of November reached a new high after three years. It had traded at a few cents for several years after its late launch by an unknown software developer in the wake of the global financial crash.