Bitcoin surged past $54,000 on Monday, breaking through a key resistance level that had been capping prices since mid-February. The leading cryptocurrency’s rally resumed, with SOL, MATIC, and ATOM leading gains among altcoins. Additionally, stocks of crypto-focused companies like Coinbase, MicroStrategy, Marathon Holdings, and Riot Platforms saw double-digit advances.
The price of Bitcoin reached its highest level since November 2021, surpassing the $53,000 resistance level during mid-morning U.S. trading hours. By the afternoon, it had almost hit $55,000 before slightly retracing. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $54,400, up nearly 5% over the past 24 hours. This outperformance was reflected in the broader market as well, with the CD20 index advancing 4% and surpassing the 2,000 level for the first time.
Ether (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency, also saw a significant increase, reaching a fresh 22-month high of $3,200. The rally extended to other major cryptocurrencies in the CD20 index, with SOL, MATIC, and ATOM posting gains of 5%-7%.
The surge in cryptocurrency prices also had a positive impact on digital asset-focused stocks. Shares of Coinbase, MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital, and Riot Platforms all saw substantial gains, with some climbing as much as 22%.
Market observers had previously anticipated a correction in Bitcoin’s price to $48,000, but Monday’s bounce marked a decisive breakthrough of a key resistance level. According to analysts at Swissblock, the next target for Bitcoin’s price is in the $57,000-$58,000 range, with new all-time highs potentially on the horizon.
The increase in Bitcoin’s price premium on Coinbase compared to other exchanges suggests strong demand from U.S. investors. Additionally, U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced heavy trading interest, with BlackRock’s IBIT recording its largest daily trading volume since its debut.
Overall, the cryptocurrency market’s resurgence on Monday signaled a renewed bullish sentiment among investors, with Bitcoin leading the charge towards new price milestones.