Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market value, surged past $4,600 on Friday, extending a sharp intraday rally that began less than an hour earlier. Market data cited by several price-tracking services showed the token advancing about 6.6% within that period, after first reclaiming the $4,500 level. The brisk move higher came amid otherwise steady trading across major digital assets, though no immediate fundamental catalyst was apparent. The jump positions Ether near the upper end of its 2025 range and narrows the gap with its record peak set in late 2021.