** Shares of cryptocurrency and blockchain-related companies rise premarket as Republican Donald Trump claims victory in the 2024 presidential contest
** Trump has positioned himself as crypto-friendly and in recent months trades in the sector have been closely linked with odds of him returning to the White House
** Bitcoin , the world's biggest cryptocurrency, last up 6.7% after hitting a record high of $75,389 in Asia trade
** "Bitcoin has just hit a new record high, hitting $75,000 as the market continues to price in a Donald Trump victory in the US elections," said Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro
** Crypto exchange Coinbase Global rises 10%, while blockchain farm operator Bitfarms Ltd up 11.6% premarket
** "The prospect of a Trump victory is seen by some as a catalyst for this surge, driven by expectations of a business-friendly agenda and potential regulatory shifts," says Mena Theodorou, co-founder at crypto exchange Coinstash
** Crypto miners: Riot Platforms Inc Marathon Digital , U.S.-listed shares of Hut 8 , and Bit Digital up 10% - 12% before the bell
** Software firm and BTC buyer MicroStrategy gain 11% premarket
** BTC has surged ~76% YTD
(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru)
((Manya.Saini@thomsonreuters.com))