The cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp downturn on Friday, with total losses amounting to $170 billion. This decline was primarily driven by investors’ concerns over the impending payout of nearly $9 billion to users of the defunct bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox.
The panic arose from fears that a large influx of bitcoins, sold by Mt. Gox users, could flood the market. Mt. Gox, once a leading trading platform, went bankrupt in 2014 after losing hundreds of thousands of bitcoins due to hacking. The exchange continues to cause apprehension among investors.
As of 9:20 AM on Friday, Bitcoin’s price plummeted by over 6% within 24 hours, reaching $54,237.18, the lowest since the end of February, according to CoinGecko. Ethereum, another major cryptocurrency, also saw a significant drop, losing about 10% of its value to settle at $2,869.36.
The entire cryptocurrency market’s capitalization dropped by over $170 billion in the past 24 hours, as per CoinGecko data. Such volatility is typical for the cryptocurrency market, which, despite attracting more investors, remains highly unstable.
Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for security and to control the creation of new units. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Following Bitcoin, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have emerged, such as Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple, each offering various functions and applications.
Cryptocurrency trading takes place on specialized exchanges, where investors can buy, sell, and exchange different digital assets. These exchanges operate similarly to traditional stock exchanges, offering various analytical tools and investment opportunities. However, the cryptocurrency market is characterized by high volatility and risk, making it attractive to speculators while posing significant risks of capital loss.