Bitcoin’s market capitalization reached a new all-time high of $1.35 trillion on March 5.
Bitcoin price rose 3.35% in the 24 hours leading up to 12:55 pm UTC, to trade at $67,322. The world’s first cryptocurrency is up over 17% on the weekly chart, according to CoinMarketCap data.
Following the new high, Bitcoin briefly became the eighth-largest asset in the world after its market capitalization briefly overtook the $1.347 trillion market capitalization of silver, the second-largest precious metal in the world, according to CompaniesMarketCap data.
The surge comes a day after Bitcoin recorded its highest daily close at $68,245 on March 4, beating its previous record close of $67,525 on Nov. 8, 2021 — bolstering analyst expectations that Bitcoin price could reach $100,000 before the end of 2024.
The recently approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States have been a major reason behind Bitcoin’s bullish price action, according to a March 4 research report by Bitfinex Analysts shared with Cointelegraph.
“February witnessed an impressive 44% surge in BTC, reflecting a notable positive momentum since December 2020. The $7.5 billion influx into Bitcoin ETFs not only drives market growth but also signals a positive outlook and potential for continued capital inflow.”
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According to Bitfinex Analysts, open interest on centralized exchanges for Bitcoin futures saw record highs, reflecting robust investor confidence in a sustained rally.
“The recent spike in open interest has surpassed the levels seen in November 2021, when BTC hit its all-time high of nearly $69,000. On Friday, March 1, the total open interest for Bitcoin futures contracts soared above $26 billion, surpassing the previous record, set in the last quarter of 2021, of $24 billion.”
The new all-time high comes a day after the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, MicroStrategy, announced that it will raise $600 million as part of its plans to buy more BTC. The funds will be issued in the form of senior convertible notes, according to a March 4 X post by its executive chairman, Michael Saylor.
Related: Is the Bitcoin halving the right time to invest in BTC?
