It all began with Uncle Sam himself, no less, giving Bitcoin a royal pat on the back-a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve! Imagine that, folks-Washington piling into the crypto crackpottery. Meanwhile, the world’s legal eagles were busy drawing up shiny new laws to keep crypto from running amok, which seemed a noble effort until chaos ensued. Several firms, not content with mere speculation, turned into bona fide Bitcoin Treasury buffs, snatching up digital gold with both fists. Demand soared, and Bitcoin traditionally shy to show off, suddenly strutted around flaunting record highs-so much so that from July to August, it was the fifth-largest asset on the planet, just trailing Google but ahead of a few nations-and oh, did it rally, soaring past $126,000 before throwing a temper tantrum in October.