It’s been over five years since the U.S. government issued its first $1,200 COVID-19 stimulus checks. For many Americans, the money was used for bills, groceries, or other necessities.

But if you invested those funds into Bitcoin and held on without selling, you’d now be sitting on a sum worth roughly $21,617 today — a staggering 1,701% gain.

This figure is based on the initial handout provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Had you invested your $1,200 on April 15, 2020, when Bitcoin was trading around $6,642, you would have acquired about 0.18 BTC. 

Today, with Bitcoin price surpassing $120,000, that same holding has grown…

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CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, will begin offering round-the-clock trading for cryptocurrency futures and options starting in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. The move comes in response to rising demand from market participants who want continuous access to manage risk across global time zones.

Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group, highlighted that client demand for 24/7 crypto trading has surged, making it vital for regulated markets to remain accessible at all times. The new system will operate on CME Globex, with only a brief two-hour weekly maintenance period, while weekend and holiday trades will be cleared and settled on the next business day.

The decision follows record growth in CME’s crypto products throughout 2025. Highlights include a record $39 billion in open interest, average daily volumes up 230% year over year, and more than 1,000 large open interest holders. This expansion marks a significant step in integrating digital assets into mainstream financial markets.

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Bitcoin could be undervalued compared to gold, according to new research from JPMorgan, which says the world’s largest cryptocurrency has “significant upside” if the so-called “debasement trade” continues to gather momentum.

The bank’s analysts estimate bitcoin could climb as high as $165,000 — roughly 40% above current levels — based on volatility-adjusted comparisons with gold. The calculation reflects the amount of capital needed to hold bitcoin versus gold and comes at a time when demand for both assets is surging.

“The steep rise in the gold price over the past month has made bitcoin more attractive to investors relative to gold, especially as the…

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Bitcoin climbed above $119,000 on Thursday, bucking a broader market downturn as investors sought safety following the U.S. government’s shutdown.

Bitcoin traded at highs of $119, 890 in morning trading, even as Wall Street stocks slid on political dysfunction in Washington. Lawmakers failed to secure enough votes late Tuesday to keep the government funded, triggering a shutdown at midnight. 

The standoff pits Democrats, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, against Republicans aligned with President Donald Trump, who has threatened benefit cuts if no deal is reached.

Bitcoin closed September up 5% at around $114,000,…

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Two members of Sweden’s parliament have called on the government to explore creating a national Bitcoin reserve, marking the latest push by a European country to consider Bitcoin as part of its financial holdings.

The motion, filed Oct. 1 by Swedish Democrats Dennis Dioukarev and David Perez, asks the Riksdag to task the government with investigating how a Bitcoin reserve could be established and which authority would oversee it. 

“By building a strategic bitcoin reserve, Sweden is positioning itself for a potentially disruptive shift in the global financial infrastructure,” the motion stated.

The lawmakers also urged the government to commit to not changing the…

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Spanish banking giant BBVA has teamed up with Singapore’s SGX FX to let retail customers trade digital assets directly on its platforms. The move marks a first for Europe, with bitcoin and ether trading available 24/7 under the same framework BBVA already uses for foreign exchange.

The collaboration combines BBVA’s forward-looking approach to crypto with SGX FX’s expertise in aggregation, pricing, and risk management across major global financial hubs. SGX FX, long recognized for its robust foreign exchange trading infrastructure, says the integration allows banks to adopt crypto seamlessly without overhauling their systems.

With the European Union’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation enabling regulated firms to expand crypto offerings, BBVA is positioning itself to meet growing client demand. “Digital assets are becoming an integral part of the global financial system,” said Luis Martins, BBVA’s Global Head of Macro Trading. “Our customers want to trade these assets with the same trusted system they already use.”