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Here’s why bitcoin could become the preferred currency for global trade

Institutional interest has pushed bitcoin to the junction of mainstream adoption, Citi analysts said

Citi said crypto exchange volumes reached $500bn in the first three weeks of 2021, nearly double the record volume noted in 2017-2018
Citi said crypto exchange volumes reached $500bn in the first three weeks of 2021, nearly double the record volume noted in 2017-2018 Photo: Getty Images

Bitcoin has reached a “tipping point” that could see it either be adopted as the preferred currency for international trade or face another burst bubble, Citigroup analysts have said.

Following interest in the cryptocurrency by Tesla, Mastercard and Square, bitcoin has become the “North Star” for digital assets such as fiat-backed stablecoins, including those being developed by central banks.

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