Bitcoin futures start

If anyone tells today that Bitcoin is unpopular, this person would lie like never before. The website of the Chicago Board Options Exchange went down due to high traffic during the launch of BTC futures, a mechanism of contract in which one can bet at the probable future price of Bitcoin. After the problems were solved, first trades began (stats courtesy of Bloomberg):

The price of Bitcoin itself jumped from $14,509 to current $16,972, and one can even assume this is not the final stop. Previously, this cryptocurrency hit 19,000 on Coinbase exchange which, too, might have made the exchange briefly fall down due to high number of visitors.

Some observers note that the situation after the launch will make it hard for American politicians to ignore cryptocurrency in their future political plans and debates. Meanwhile, first traders with CBOE’s futures tell it is indeed an easy mechanism, just as they were promised.

Edward Tilly, CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, now hopes that after this success, the authorities would be less reluctant to allow Bitcoin ETFs and ETNs. The organization Mr. Tilly needs approval from is the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).