BITCOIN SOARS PAST US$13K AS IT MOVES NEARER LEGITIMACY

first time amid speculation the use of futures will help lead to digital currencies being viewed as a legitimate asset class. The largest cryptocurrency by market value has soared from less than $ 1,000 at the start of the year as optimism climbs for the technology known as blockchain that is at the heart of bitcoin. The surge has been accompanied by warnings that the frenzy is an asset bubble. Cboe Global Markets Inc. says it will start trading bitcoin futures on Dec. 10, while CME Group Inc.’s contracts are set to debut on Dec. 18. Nasdaq Inc. is planning to offer futures in 2018, according to a person familiar with the matter. Cantor Fitzgerald LP’s Cantor Exchange is creating a bitcoin derivative, and startup LedgerX already offers options.