It's Not Just Bitcoin. These Major Cryptocurrencies Are Flying High Again

There's a growing sense in the world of blockchain enthusiasts that the latest 'crypto winter' may be over, as Bitcoin's recent parabolic gains are now being followed by a few other key cryptocurrencies. 

As of this writing, Ether, the native currency of the Ethereum blockchain network that is the foundation for a number of other crypto tokens, is at its highest price since early September. 

Meanwhile, Ripple's XRP, which has remained relatively flat during Bitcoin's current resurgence, has finally joined the fun and is back at a price not seen since November.

XRP has likely received a big boost from the news that leading crypto exchange and app CoinBase made trading in the currency open to New Yorkers this week.

And in case you hadn't heard: since the last time I wrote here less than a week ago, Bitcoin is up by a third to over $8,200. Last time it was at this price was July of 2018.

Editor's note: Bitcoin and digital currencies, as with any investment, may involve the risk of loss. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has warned that virtual currencies, including Bitcoin, carry "significant risk" to consumers.

According to CoinMarketCap, the above represent the top three cryptocurrencies and about three-quarters of the entire crypto market. And most other smaller cryptos are following the trend, as they tend to do. 

Of course, there's a big gap between the current price of cryptos and where many of them peaked at the end of 2017. Bitcoin would still need to better than double in price to reach that point again. XRP would need to see its value double three times.

The most recent gains for Bitcoin and its gang also come during rough waters for the stock market. Bitcoin was born out of the depths of the great recession and economic uncertainty has been one of its sources of fuel over the past decade. 

The debate over where these prices are headed next and also over what cryptocurrencies are even for -- are they actually currencies? or are they investments? -- continues to be fierce. 

I've given up on predicting where these things might be in the weeks and months to come, but with all the myriad opinions on the topic only one thing is certain: someone will be right.