The digital currency is riding a wave of interest in decentralized—and secure—technologies,says Fletcher School professorThe digital cash known as bitcoin has soared in value this year, and earlier this week investors bet positively on a new financial product based on it. Trading on the first-ever futures contracts for the virtual currency was so heavy on December 10, or its first day,that the website of the Chicago Board Options Exchange experienced delays and outages, and wild swings in price forced the exchange to halt trading twice to stem volatility. The futures contracts allow investors to speculate on whether bitcoin will rise or tumble.
Source: tufts.edu