Bitcoin price climbs past $96,000 on optimism over Trump's crypto plans

Bitcoin's price surged past $96,000 for the first time, driven by investor optimism about a more favorable U.S. regulatory environment under President-elect Donald Trump. The cryptocurrency has more than doubled in value this year. Since the election, Bitcoin has risen about 40%, with over $4 billion flowing into U.S. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Stocks related to cryptocurrency, like MARA Holdings and MicroStrategy, also saw significant gains. Trump's campaign included promises to support digital assets, raising hopes for regulatory clarity in the crypto market. This excitement is seen as beneficial for Bitcoin and the broader blockchain ecosystem.