Bitcoin tops 66,000, sets record as crypto goes mainstream

By Associated Press

Published: October 20, 2021 at 6:03 PM

Yerevan, Armenia - May, 27, 2019: Coinbox Bitcoin ATM station, front view.iStock.com/Evgenia Parajanian

Bitcoin rallied to a record today, topping 66,000 for the first time, on a wave of excitement about how the financial establishment is increasingly accepting the digital currencys rise.

Bitcoin rallied to a record today, topping $66,000 for the first time, on a wave of excitement about how the financial establishment is increasingly accepting the digital currency's rise.

Bitcoin was trading at $66,439, up 5.9%, as of 12:40 p.m. Eastern time, after earlier climbing as high as $66,974.77.

It has roared back after sinking below $30,000 during the summer to top its prior record set in April.

That previous all-time high was nearly $64,889.

The surge has come as more businesses, professional investors and even the government of El Salvador buy into Bitcoin, broadening its base beyond its initial core of fanatics.