Since Donald J. Trump won the 2024 election, cryptocurrency has surged to its highest level ever. David Yaffe-Bellany, a technology reporter for The Times, explains how a small, renegade industry that began as a challenge to the financial system ended up on top of it. Guest: David Yaffe-Bellany, a technology reporter for The New York Times.
From the New York Times, I'm Sabrina Tavernisi and this is the daily
since the election of Donald Trump, cryptocurrency has surged to its highest level ever.
Speaking of President Trump coming back, wow.
Did he put the fire onto bitcoin?
Bitcoin, wow.
Through the roof.
Another huge record tonight, a new record.
For bitcoin surging past $100,000 for the first time.
We have 100,000 in bitcoin.
We have the potential for people feeling as if, wow, we made it.
Today, my colleague David Yaffe Bellamy on how a small renegade industry that began as a challenge to the financial system ended up on top of it.
It's Thursday, December 19th.
So, David, you and I have been talking for years now about the ups and downs and ups again of this thing that never really seems quite real or solid, and that is crypto.
And now crypto has exploded in value.
Is this just another twist in the roller coaster or is it something bigger?
Is this a pivotal moment?
So, obviously it's impossible to predict the future, especially where cryptocurrency is concerned.
But it's certainly the case that this new surge in the crypto world is different from ones that we've seen in the past.
And let me put this into perspective for you for a second.
Bitcoin was created about 15, 16 years ago, essentially out of thin air.