The bitcoin gamble: What does the future hold?

The surge in Bitcoin has seen values soar more than 16-fold this year alone to above $17,000. But what is it, where did it come from, how does it work and what does the future hold?

IT'S a form of money that’s remarkable for what it’s not: It’s not currency you can hold in your hand. It’s not generally recognised by most main street shops. It’s not issued or backed by a national government.