In the last week, bitcoin rallied from $5900 on November 12 to an all-time high of around $8250. The current leader in cryptocurrency seems to have shaken off the cancellation of SegWit2x and the resulting sell-off without much trouble.

There are multiple factors contributing to bitcoin's quick recovery, with increased interest from Wall Street perhaps being the most impactful. As reported yesterday, CME Group published the Bitcoin Futures Contract Specs and announcing plans for bitcoin futures contract as soon as December 10, pending regulatory approval. If such a financial product becomes a reality, it is safe to expect an influx of money from traditional investors into the crypto market.

Despite strict measures taken by China and South Korea when it comes to cryptocurrency regulation, Japan is continuing with its crypto-friendly policies, recognizing 11 crypto exchanges at the end of September. Such an attitude from the world's 4th largest economy (3rd if we don't count the EU as a single entity) is bound to generate confidence in the market.

In the realm of technology, Lightning Network's successful off-chain atomic swap opens the possibility of decentralized exchanges and a general improvement in the utility of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is riding a wave of positivity at the moment, but volatility is still the name of the game.