Crypto stocks climb as bitcoin climbs ahead of 'halving'
19/04/2024 12:44
** Shares of cryptocurrency and blockchain-related companies
rise, tracking an uptick in prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum
** Bitcoin BTC= , the world's most valuable cryptocurrency,
up 2.5% at $65116, while Ether ETH= prices rise 1% at $3101
** Crypto investors are gearing up for bitcoin's 'halving'
in the early hours of Saturday GMT - a change to the
cryptocurrency's underlying technology designed to cut the rate
at which new bitcoins are created
** Earlier in the session Bitcoin and Ethereum prices slid
on geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and are now set for
their first week in gains out of three
** Crypto exchange Coinbase Global COIN.O rises 2.2%,
while Blockchain farm operator Bitfarms Ltd BITF.O up 3.7%
** Crypto miners: Riot Platforms Inc RIOT.O Marathon
Digital MARA.O , U.S.-listed shares of Hut 8 HUT.O , and Bit
Digital BTBT.O up 1.4%-3.1%
** Software firm and BTC buyer MicroStrategy MSTR.O gains
3.5%, while Canaan Inc CAN.O up 2.8%
** ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF BITO.P adds 2%
** Up to last close, BTC had risen 54% YTD, compared with a
42% increase in the MVIS CryptoCompare Digital Assets 100 Index
.MVDA
(Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru)
((johann.mcherian@thomsonreuters.com;))