Bitcoin surged late Monday, topping $45,000 to hit its highest level in nearly 21 months as the cryptocurrency rally continues into 2024. Traders are excited about the potential approval of a bitcoin exchange-traded fund in the U.S. and the upcoming bitcoin "halving." Bitcoin's price continues to climb following a stellar 2023, which saw the digital currency's value soar by 152%, with many analysts predicting the upward trend will persist. Other cryptocurrencies, including Ether and Solana, experienced a rally, with Ether increasing by approximately 4.5% to $2,405 and Solana surging 11% to around $115 in early morning trading, based on CoinDesk data.