*By Jacqueline Corba*
Bitcoin soared back above the [$8,000 mark this week for the first time since May](https://cheddar.com/videos/reddit-co-founder-on-the-state-of-cryptocurrency). The surge comes as more institutional investors look to grab a piece of the still-emerging crypto market.
"From a stored value perspective I'm a Bitcoin maximalist," [Fin co-CEO and co-Founder Sam Lessin](https://cheddar.com/videos/tech-entrepreneur-sam-lessin-authors-childrens-book-on-bitcoin) told Cheddar's Crypto Craze Thursday. "If you look at the broader blockchain and crypto ecosystem, I don't think people fully appreciate how deeply big a deal it is to have an immutable ledger globally."
Lessin, who served as a vice president of product management at Facebook from 2010 to 2014, joins fellow Facebook alum Anthony Pompliano in his bullish outlook on Bitcoin, the largest digital currency by market cap.
"I've got a high degree of confidence that at some point in the future its going to hit $50,000. And I've got some degree of confidence that it will be by the end of this year," Pompliano, who now runs Morgan Creek Digital Assets, told Cheddar.
The factors driving the value up? Human psychology, speculation around a [cryptocurrency ETF](https://www.coindesk.com/bitwise-proposes-etf-for-top-10-cryptos/), and growing institutional interest, said Pompliano.
Facebook itself even wants in on crypto. In May, [Cheddar reported Facebook is developing its own digital currency](https://cheddar.com/videos/facebook-plans-to-create-its-own-cryptocurrency-2).
"I have a lot of respect for the Facebook team," said Lessin. "What they have is a fundamental networkーthe biggest one ever in the history of the world connecting people." He called a Facebook move toward crypto an "obvious play."
For full interview, [click here] (https://cms.cheddar.com/videos/VmlkZW8tMjExNzY=).
Apple is rolling out its first Mac computers powered by the same kind of chips that run iPhones and iPads in a move aimed at making it even easier for its most popular products to work together.
Virgin Hyperloop has completed its first human test run yesterday in the Las Vegas desert, moving two people 500m in 15 seconds at 107 mph. Josh Giegel, co-founder and CTO, joined Cheddar to discuss the landmark moment and the technology behind the hyperloop.
John Matze, CEO of Parler, says he welcomes Republicans and Democrats alike to create "discussion, debate, and discourse" on the popular "free speech social network."
Federal regulators are requiring Zoom to strengthen its security in a proposed settlement of allegations that the video conferencing service misled users about its level of security for meetings.
Gaming accessory manufacturer, Turtle Beach, is coming off of a record Q3 earnings report. CEO Juergen Stark joined Cheddar to discuss the company's growth and expectations for the PS5 and Xbox Series X..
Digital political ads , while not the primary source for campaigns, are growing in popularity. Cheddar's Michelle Castillo takes a look at how Facebook's political ad policies are being implemented.
Ryan Merkley, Wikimedia Foundation's chief of staff, joined Cheddar to discuss how Wikipedia is combating the spread of misinformation on Election Day.
DoorDash is getting into the growing prescription drug delivery business through a partnership with wholesale giant Sam's Club.
San Francisco has a population of over 883,000 residents, but it only has two cemeteries for the entire city. But neither of them perform active burials. So why are bodies showing up under the city?
WHOOP is now valued at $1.2 billion after raising $100 million in Series E Funding. Will Ahmed, founder and CEO, joined Cheddar to discuss the success of the brand as people become more attentive of their health.
