Bitcoin Near $95K Amid Trump-Backed Crypto Optimism and Bakkt Buyout Talks | N18G

Bitcoin rose to a record high of $94,982.37, approaching $95,000, as reports that Donald Trump’s social media company TMTG was in talks to buy all shares of crypto firm Bakkt increased optimism. More than doubling in 2024, the cryptocurrency has gained over 40% since Trump’s election victory amid expectations of a crypto-friendly regulatory regime. Trump’s private talks with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and the successful launch of BlackRock’s spot bitcoin ETF, which trades $1.9 billion in contracts, further boosted sentiment. Analyst Nikhil Bhatia described Bitcoin as “digital gold” and suggested there could be a potential valuation of $800,000 per BTC if its market gold reaches $17 trillion.