Bitcoin nears $100,000 as trading volume surges and critics reconsider views

Bitcoin has surged over 40% since Donald Trump's election, nearing the $100,000 mark for the first time. This rise has attracted over $4 billion into U.S. bitcoin exchange-traded funds, making it the best-performing asset class this year. Trading volume for MicroStrategy, a popular way to invest in bitcoin, reached a record $136 billion last week. The increase in bitcoin's value is driven by market sentiment and demand, despite its lack of physical value or widespread acceptance as payment. Critics of bitcoin are now reconsidering their views as profits soar. Notable figures, including El Salvador's president, are celebrating their investments, while some investors express regret over selling too early. Predictions for bitcoin's future value vary widely.