Ethereum resumes gains near six-week highs

Ethereum rose on Wednesday after a hiatus from gains yesterday on profit-taking, nearing six-week highs as most cryptocurrencies edge higher. 

At Bitstamp, Ethereum rose $2.77, or 1.9% to $145.37, with an intraday high at $146.48, and a low at $139.01. 

Ethereum lost 1.5% the first session in five on profit-taking after marking six-week highs at $149.21. 

Market value of cryptocurrencies rose a billion dollars to $134 billion after marking $136 billion yesterday, the highest since January 10. 

Market value rose over $23 billion in the last three weeks from $111 billion from $134 billion. 

The CFTC regulatory authority in the US announced a focus on monitoring the crypto market in 2019 to follow up on many security and fraud concerns.

JPMorgan Chase announced intentions to issue a cryptocurrency of its own and test it for the next few months, becoming the first major bank in the US to announce such a step. 

The cryptocurrency is hoped to be used to online payments and with the use of blockchain technologies to support it.