Bitcoin jumps to three-year high as Covid crisis changes investor outlook

Four-fold rise since March edges towards all-time record as cryptocurrency gains greater acceptance

Bitcoin, the world's best known cryptocurrency, jumped above $17,000 to a three-year high on Tuesday as a growing number of investors backed it as an alternative to other assets.

The currency climbed more than 4% to $17,492, its highest level since December 2017 and more than four times higher than the price in March when heavy selling sent its value below $4,000.