The cryptocurrency has risen some 15.7% so far this year, on Monday touching its highest since Dec. 27, 2021. At 1721 GMT, bitcoin was up 4.8% on the day at $49,826, having oscillated around the $50,000 mark.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington and Alun John and Elizabeth Howcroft in London; Editing by Amanda Cooper)

By Hannah Lang and Elizabeth Howcroft