Right now more and more users have started using bitcoin. This year the increase is enormous that in a short even after facing several controversial issues the price keep growing in the rising side rather than trailing hard. Now as the price has crossed barriers of $1300 and now close to $1450. So anytime soon we can experience $1500.
Not really, bitcoin's use is inversely proportional to its price by nature. Bitcoin transactions are now more expensive than ever in terms of either FIAT or BTC value due to the currency's price. The price rise is caused by speculators other than organic growth.