
Bitcoin (BTCUSD) has had an incredible 2024, surging 110% on a year-to-date basis, outpacing the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) and the Nasdaq Composite Index ($NASX). This rally is fueled by President-elect Donald Trump's support for crypto, his plans to build a strategic BTC reserve, and his nomination of cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to head the SEC. A more crypto-friendly regulatory landscape and the launch of Bitcoin ETF options further boosted confidence. The surge to over $100,000 marks a key milestone, cementing Bitcoin’s place in the financial world. However, its notorious volatility remains a risk.
Amid this surge, software firm MicroStrategy (MSTR) has continued its transformation into a Bitcoin-acquiring powerhouse and is now the largest corporate holder of the digital currency. MicroStrategy owns 439,002 bitcoins as of Dec. 16, 2024.