2017 was a turning point for Bitcoin. It made its first appearance on regulated futures markets, the value rose more than 1300%, and the NYSE filed for two Bitcoin ETFs. As its value went up, so did the number of conventional businesses worldwide who accept Bitcoin as payment.

Bitcoin\'s overall value rose from $979.53 on January 1st 2017 to around $14,000 on December 31st, with a value spike in the middle of December which took it over $20,000. This represents an overall price increase of over $13,000, about 1329% percent.

The price of Bitcoin is related to the number of conventional businesses willing to take it in payment method, measured by experts at a correlation coefficient of 0.7994. In simple terms, when Bitcoin\'s price rises, there is a strong likelihood of a corresponding increase in the amount of businesses that will accept it. In 2017, the number of such businesses increased by 3,084 overall, indicating a significant acceptance by the conventional community of Bitcoin as a valid payment method.

Although the market capitalisation of all existing digital assets is still far below that of the NYSE, Wall Street is beginning to dip a toe in the water. Where institutional investors go, retail investors and the public are sure to follow, and 2018 looks to be the year for Bitcoin business.