Bitcoin Price Tops $250 for First Time Since August

The bitcoin price (BTC/USD) has topped $250 on Bitstamp, trading above the mark for the first time since plunging 13% on August 19.

The milestone caps a steady 3-week climb that has seen the digital currency gain 12% from its $223 support level.

The streak helped bitcoin cross back above its 50-day moving average (MA) for the first time since early August.

After Volatility Volatility In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, or stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Trad In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, or stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Trad Read this Term in August and another foray below $200, it was tempting to write off Bitcoin's currency, as was common following price plunges in the past. Increasingly overshadowed by its Blockchain Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Read this Term and other emerging distributed ledger technologies, it seemed intuitive that the currency's time as a passing fad was up.

Yet, 2015 has shaped up to be a stable year for bitcoin. With the exception of a few volatile periods, its trading has been calmer than many stocks, commodities and even fiat currencies.

One might have also expected a continuation of August's volatility this quarter, as was the case in 2014. Instead, Q4 has shaped up to be one of the most stable on record, suggesting that August's volatility was at least partly induced by the upheaval gripping global financial markets at the time.

Bitcoin's newfound stability may increase its appeal with institutional investors and hedge funds, which may perceive it as a reliable store of value- perhaps, for some, as a digital form of gold. Conversely, it is possible that the advent of regulated exchanges, instruments (and possibly soon, derivatives) and indices has helped smoothen the trading journey, attracting mainstream investors who remained on the sidelines during more wild times.

Litecoin (LTC/USD) is challenging a 6-week high of $3.15. The LTC/BTC rate is holding steady near 0.0127.