Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, hit a new record high of $87, 000 on Monday. This surge follows Donald Trump's presidential election victory. Analysts believe the incoming administration could be more friendly towards cryptocurrencies, leading to potential regulatory clarity and flexibility. In just one week, bitcoin's price jumped over 28 percent.

Cryptocurrency has been around for a while but has gained significant attention lately. It's like digital money that operates without a central authority, using a technology called blockchain to record transactions. Bitcoin is the oldest and most well-known, but others like Ethereum and Dogecoin have also gained popularity.

Trump's victory is a significant factor in the current surge. He has embraced cryptocurrencies during his campaign, promising to make the US a crypto hub and even launching a crypto trading venture. The crypto industry hopes for favorable regulatory changes under his leadership.

Investors should be cautious, though. Crypto assets are known for their volatility. For instance, bitcoin's price skyrocketed during the pandemic but later crashed due to inflation and the FTX collapse. Experts advise only investing money you can afford to lose.

Bitcoin mining, the process of producing these assets, uses a lot of energy. Some operations rely on pollutive sources, raising environmental concerns. The carbon footprint of bitcoin mining in 2020-2021 was comparable to burning 84 billion pounds of coal. However, there's a growing trend towards using cleaner energy sources.

Why Bitcoin Prices Are Soaring After Trump's Win

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