Cryptocurrencies have been considerably weak after a South Korean exchange, Coinrail, had been hacked. The sixth largest global cryptocurrency exchange, Bithumb, had recently suffered a cyber-attack where $31.6 million were stolen from its exchange. The number of hacks have been increasing, which has led to investigations being carried out.
It has started with the South Korean authorities investigating into cryptocurrency exchanges to check for compliance with tax laws. In the US, there has been a crackdown from the SEC on manipulation of prices and fraud in ICOs. This was followed by a study from the University of Texas which had found that at least half of bitcoin’s returns last year may have been the result of manipulation.
Central Bankers have been quiet during the cryptocurrency bull-run, and have been doing their due diligence with research and white papers carried out by regulators and experts in the field. The market is anticipating an optimistic view from Central Banks, regulating Cryptocurrency would ease investors’ concerns. But Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, has recently claimed Bitcoin has been failing and is not being integrated as previously expected.
Bitcoin volatility is now at its lowest level from a year ago, but a comparison of a bubble-like asset, which had a significant rise compared to the aftermath of a large correction, does not necessarily mean this is the bottom. Cryptocurrencies are still an emerging asset class which requires important fundamental steps to be taken for it to become mainstream, and begin the next move higher.
This has become a concern for investors with the price of Bitcoin over a one month period losing 19.88% in value. It is important to consider investing with good risk management and, as they say, not to bet your house on an investment.