Bitcoin surpassed $19,000 for the first time since 2017 as the mania over digital currencies continues to grip Wall Street.
Bitcoin climbed as much as 5.5% to trade at $19,438 before paring the advance. Prices are approaching the all-time high of $19,511, according to Bloomberg data, with many pointing to the wider acceptance of cryptocurrencies among traditional investors as the catalyst behind the surge.
