Bitcoin futures trading begins on Cboe exchange in Chicago
Bitcoin has begun trading on a major exchange for the first time in what is being regarded as a step towards legitimising the digital currency. Trading opened at 23:00 GMT Sunday on the Cboe Futures Exchange in Chicago, valuing Bitcoin at $15,000. The currency's futures were volatile for the first 20 minutes, rising to about $16,600 before dropping back. Bob Fitzsimmons at Wedbush Securities said about 150 trades were made in the first few minutes: "It's quiet." The Cboe's move is expected to be followed next week by a rival listing on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Anticipation of the first mainstream listings have helped the controversial currency soar past $10,000 and then over $17,000 on Thursday before retreating. Bitcoin was trading at about $15,230 on Monday, according to Coindesk.com . Nick Colas, of Data Trek research, said the futures listings gave Bitcoin "legitimacy - it recognises that it's an asset you can trade". ...