Bitcoin edges higher after dismal February for risk assets as investors assess rate outlook and new China data

• Bitcoin advanced on Wednesday, extending gains for 2023. 
• The cryptocurrency traded above $23,000 as March kicked off. 
• Bitcoin and other risk assets rose after strong Chinese manufacturing activity data. 

Bitcoin pushed higher Wednesday, sustaining its advance alongside other risk assets after the strongest official  manufacturing print in a decade out of China kickstarted trading in March. 

The world's most valuable cryptocurrency was up 2.4% to $23,704.10 after rising as much as 3.4%. The move built on February's gain of about 1%, a more modest showing after zooming up roughly 41% in January.