The upcoming introduction of Bitcoin futures probably has a lot to do with it.  I'm wondering though if this is a case of buy the rumor and sell the news so to speak.  I mean this could funnel a lot of money into bitcoin, but it also means that people will now have an instrument to short Bitcoin.  If we thought Bitcoin was volatile before, it could be even moreso now.  The other possibility is that BTC is more stable, it looks like only time will tell.  I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for Bitcoin.