Bitcoin Surges Past $11,000 as Cryptos Rally Amid Market Turmoil

Eric Lam, Bloomberg News

An ethernet cable connects to a transformer used to power cryptocurrency mining machines at the SberBit mining 'hotel' in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Futures on the world’s most popular cryptocurrency surged as much as 26 percent in their debut session on Cboe Global Markets Inc.'s exchange, triggering two temporary trading halts designed to calm the market. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin climbed past the $11,000 level for the first time since mid-July to lead gains among the biggest cryptocurrencies, as risk assets across Asia tumbled on escalating trade war tensions.

The largest cryptocurrency surged as much as 12% from Friday’s close and traded at $11,565 at 12:50 p.m. in Hong Kong, according to consolidated Bloomberg pricing. The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index tracking a basket of cryptocurrencies jumped as much as 7.2% as rival digital coins including Ether and XRP also rallied.

“With the turmoil in markets and the streets, suddenly digital gold doesn’t seem like such a bad idea,” said Jehan Chu, managing partner at blockchain investment and advisory firm Kenetic Capital. “Bitcoin is increasingly seen not only as a bet on the future, but as a shelter for the present.”

China’s yuan fell past 7 per dollar, a key psychological level for traders, roiling global markets and driving other currencies lower. The risk-off shift intensified on reports China had asked state buyers to halt imports of American agriculture imports, further escalating trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump last week proposed adding 10% tariffs on another $300 billion in Chinese imports starting Sept. 1.

“A lot of this might have to do with some capital flight out of China” after Trump’s tariff announcement, said Tom Maxon, head of U.S. operations at electronic-payment products company CoolBitX Ltd. He noted that it’s hard to tell for sure, and said the current Bitcoin bull market has produced a lot of positive dynamics that could be fueling the move as well.

Bitcoin’s rally this month comes after a July sell-off as lawmakers including Trump questioned Facebook Inc.’s plan to create its own cryptocurrency Libra. The digital currency has seen prices triple this year after a difficult 2018.

“Bitcoin should test $12,000 soon,” said Charles Yang, head trader at Hong Kong-based over-the-counter digital-asset trading firm Genesis Block. “This is, of course, assuming we believe macro issues actually drive Bitcoin.”

--With assistance from Matt Turner and Zheping Huang.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eric Lam in Hong Kong at elam87@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Christopher Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.net, Joanna Ossinger, Ravil Shirodkar