The cryptocurrency market has witnessed a historic surge, with Bitcoin breaking through the $100,000 barrier to reach a record high of $106,000. This monumental milestone is attributed to growing institutional investments, easing inflation in the US, and renewed optimism over regulatory clarity.

The surge in Bitcoin's value is a significant indicator of the increasing confidence in the cryptocurrency market. The easing of inflation in the US has contributed to a more favorable environment for investments, while the renewed optimism over regulatory clarity has alleviated concerns among investors. Furthermore, the growing institutional investments in Bitcoin have added to its credibility and attractiveness as a viable investment option.

In a related development, US President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, signaling a potential shift in crypto policy. This move has sparked excitement among crypto enthusiasts, who see it as a significant step towards mainstream adoption and recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class.

In other news, MTN's mobile money service, MoMo, is eyeing a banking licence in South Africa to operate independently. The company is currently reliant on African Bank as its sponsor, but a full banking licence would enable it to offer more comprehensive and affordable financial services. MoMo has already gained significant traction in South Africa, with 11 million registered users and 3 million active ones.

Tizeti, a Y Combinator-backed internet service provider, is set to become the first Nigerian startup to list on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). This move is expected to provide the company with access to more investors, raise funds in naira, and reduce the pressure to deliver high returns due to naira devaluation.

In a bid to tackle Nigeria's cash crisis, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a ₦150 million ($97,000) fine on deposit money banks caught selling newly minted banknotes. The CBN believes that POS agents and cash hawkers are exacerbating the country's cash crisis by buying newly minted notes from banks and reselling them at a markup.

The World Wide Web3 cryptocurrency tracker reveals that Bitcoin's current value stands at $104,778, with a 2.33% increase in the past day and a 14.43% increase in the past month. Ether's current value is $3,962, with a 1.59% increase in the past day and a 26.56% increase in the past month.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Bitcoin's surge will spark a new bull run or if it's just a temporary surge. One thing is certain, however – the growing institutional investments, easing inflation, and renewed optimism over regulatory clarity have created a fertile ground for the cryptocurrency market to thrive.