Bitcoin and Ether hit highest since mid-May as sentiment warms

Bitcoin and Ether hit highest since mid-May as sentiment warms

Bitcoin and Ether reached their highest levels in more than two months after a major Ethereum upgrade and despite uncertainty over crypto rules in the US infrastructure plan. Bitcoin gained as much as 4.1 per cent to $44,463 on Saturday, its highest level since May 18. Ether increased as much as 6.9 per cent to $3,145, gaining for a fourth day amid the Ethereum network’s London upgrade, which reduces the pace of growth in the coins. “A mood of optimism appears to have returned to cryptocurrency markets,” Paolo Ardoino, chief technology officer at Bitfinex, said in comments on Friday. “Bitcoin is leading the charge while Ethereum continues to make gains” after its network upgrade. Still, he said, “the turbulence that we’ve seen in crypto markets over recent weeks is unlikely to subside.” Cryptocurrencies are showing signs of life again after pulling back significantly from record highs in recent months, a setback blamed on concerns about China’s crackdown and Elon Musk-fueled questions about Bitcoin’s energy usage. Bitcoin, however, is approaching its 50-day moving average, a mark it hasn’t touched since May 26. And Ether is over $3,000 again, after its first run above that level lasted for just a couple of