The digital currency bitcoin has more than doubled in a month and now stands at a record value of just over $323. According to Coindesk.com, the value is even slightly higher than the official Bitcoin Price Index indicates.
Today, $323 was paid for one bitcoin at Bitstamp. In any case, it is a record value. The previous peak was reached in April. Officially that was $230, while the counter stopped at $244 on Tuesday night.
Last month, the online black market Silk Road was shut down by the FBI and $20 million worth of bitcoins was seized. The value plunged immediately afterward, but within a month it has almost doubled.
A direct explanation is hard to give, but bitcoin is appearing in the news more and more often. For example, there is an ATM in Canada where bitcoins can be withdrawn, and on Tuesday Thuisbezorgd.nl announced it would also accept bitcoins.
The story of a Norwegian student who, over four years, managed to turn a €18.50 investment in bitcoins into €615,000 may also have helped. In the meantime, the digital currency seems to be welcomed with open arms worldwide. We, too, have high expectations.