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Bitcoin Prices Shoot Past $870, Setting New High for 2016

Bitcoin prices continue to surge after passing the $800 mark earlier this week.

Updated Sep 11, 2021, 12:49 p.m. Published Dec 22, 2016, 5:02 p.m.
man jumping bitcoin price
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Bitcoin prices have surged nearly 10% since crossing the $800 level.

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The digital currency's price rose to as much as $874.10 at 10:00 UTC on 22nd December, which represented a 9.3% gain from $800 and a 12.4% increase from the same time one week before, according to the CoinDesk USD Bitcoin Price Index (BPI). Prices have climbed more than 100% since the start of the year.

The move follows a week of steadily rising prices, surpassing $800 on 21st December. Some industry analysts had forecasted that the digital currency would finish 2016 either under $800 or close to that price.

At press time, the average price of bitcoin across markets is $861.78, BPI data reveals.

This week's price action comes after a year of headline-making developments that drove markets. Major moments in 2016 included the UK vote to leave the European Union and the hack of bitcoin exchange Bitfinex.

Image via CoinDesk BPI

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KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

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KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

  • KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
  • This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
  • Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
  • Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
  • Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.

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Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing

Stacked gold bars (Scottsdale Mint/Unsplash/Modified by CoinDesk)

Bitcoin’s onchain data points to supply overhang and weak participation, while gold’s breakout is priced by markets as a durable macro regime shift.

What to know:

  • Gold’s surge above $5,000 an ounce is increasingly seen as a durable regime shift, with investors treating the metal as a persistent hedge against geopolitical risk, central bank demand and a weaker dollar.
  • Bitcoin is stuck near $87,000 in a low-conviction market, as on-chain data show older holders selling into rallies, newer buyers absorbing losses and a heavy supply overhang capping moves toward $100,000.
  • Derivatives and prediction markets point to continued consolidation in bitcoin and sustained strength in gold, with thin futures volumes, subdued leverage and weak demand for higher-beta crypto assets like ether reinforcing the cautious tone.