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Graphic shows rise and fall of the price of Bitcoin.
GN36222EN

BUSINESS

Bitcoin’s wild price ride

By Duncan Mil

February 7, 2018 - Bitcoin has lost more than 50 percent of its value since mid-December sliding amid escalating regulatory threats, international banks blocking crypto purchases, and fears of fraud and hacking.

Bitcoin’s price has been on a wild ride, from about $1,000 this time last year, shooting up to over $19,000 before dropping down to its current value of around $8,000.

Bitcoin is the most prominent cryptocurrency, but there are more than 1,500 others out there. Startups offer new coins, or tokens, in events known as ICOs, or initial coin offerings. But beware, between 14 to 30 percent of ICOs are fraudulent, according to Christian Catalini, an assistant professor at MIT Sloan School of Management who studies cryptocurrencies.

On January 30, Facebook announced that it would not allow ads that peddle ICOs or cryptocurrencies to block scammers and fraudsters.

In the U.S., Citigroup, Bank of America, and JP Morgan Chase have stopped people purchasing cryptocurrency with a credit card, while in the UK, Lloyds Banking Group and Virgin Money have followed suit.

Meanwhile, China has reportedly blocked anyone in the country from accessing websites that offer cryptocurrency trades or ICOs.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 07/02/2018; STORY: Graphic News
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