Bitcoin smashes $2,900 barrier to hit record high

The digital payment reached a value of $2,967.48 at around 1.20pm UTC Tuesday, according to the Coindesk Bitcoin Price Index. The pricing is a record high for the cryptocurrency which has been hit with periods of volatility.

Bitcoin experienced an unprecedented surge in worth recently after trading for the first time above $1,500 back in May.

The spike has been linked to the legalisation of digital currencies in Asia in recent weeks. However, some financial observers suggest the hike is down to increasing confidence in the alternative currency.

“The biggest driver [of bitcoin] right now is you’re starting to see institutional investors take a keen interest in the entire sector,” financial commentator, Brian Kelly, said last month. “I don’t think this is hot money. This is real money that’s going to sit around and build the new internet.”

Bitcoin rival, ethereum, an open source platform providing ‘ether’ cryptocurrency, also received a boost this month.

The currency, which went live in 2015, reached an all-time high in value of $250.41 on Sunday.