Here are this week's key cryptocurrency developments:
### **Bitcoin Breaks $100,000**
Bitcoin surged past the $100,000 milestone for the first time, peaking at $104,000. This rally is attributed to institutional adoption, robust demand for Bitcoin ETFs, and the reduced supply after this year’s halving. Improved regulatory sentiment, particularly with a crypto-friendly administration in the U.S., also contributed to investor confidence [oai_citation:1,Bitcoin stagnates as altcoins take off. Plus, XRP gains over 100%, and Ethereum ETFs see record inflows.
### **Altcoin Momentum**
- **XRP**: XRP's price skyrocketed by 400% in the past month, driven by regulatory optimism and increased adoption in cross-border payments. Its market cap has surpassed Tether, making it the third-largest cryptocurrency [oai_citation:3,Bitcoin stagnates as altcoins take off. Plus, XRP gains over 100%, and Ethereum ETFs see record inflows.
- **Ethereum**: Stabilizing around $3,900, Ethereum benefits from growing adoption in DeFi, NFTs, and scalability improvements through Layer 2 solutions [oai_citation:5,Crypto Weekly Wrap: 5th December 2024](https://www.iconomi.com/blog/wrap-6-december-2024). - **Layer-1 Blockchains**: Algorand and Aleph Zero posted significant gains (80.4% and 65.1%, respectively), boosted by ecosystem expansions and technical developments [oai_citation:6,Bitcoin stagnates as altcoins take off. Plus, XRP gains over 100%, and Ethereum ETFs see record inflows.](https://www.calebandbrown.com/blog/weekly-rollup-december-3-2024/). ### **Institutional Developments**
### **Other Notable Updates**
- Regulatory clarity in the U.S., driven by pro-crypto appointments, signals a positive shift that could attract broader market participation [oai_citation:10,Crypto Weekly Wrap: 5th December 2024](https://www.iconomi.com/blog/wrap-6-december-2024). The crypto market is enjoying renewed optimism, with Bitcoin leading the charge and altcoins showing diverse growth across sectors like DeFi, payments, and smart contract platforms. However, high volatility persists, so cautious investment strategies remain essential.