In the world of cryptocurrency, things can move at lightning speed. So it should come as no surprise that what goes up can also come crashing down just as quickly.
That’s what happened to the value of many digital currencies in early 2018. After hitting record highs at the end of December, the prices of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major coins took a nosedive in the first few months of the year.
So what caused this sudden crash? And where did all the value go? Let’s take a closer look.
The crypto crash was largely caused by two factors: a correction after the massive run-up in prices at the end of 2017, and a crackdown by regulators in several countries.
The correction was inevitable after such a huge rally. Many analysts believe that the prices of Bitcoin and other coins got ahead of themselves in the last few months of 2017. When the correction began, it quickly gathered steam, leading to the sharp declines we saw in early 2018.
The crackdown by regulators was also a major factor. In January, China announced a crackdown on cryptocurrency exchanges and initial coin offerings. This sent a shockwave through the market, and the prices of major coins tumbled.
Other countries have also taken steps to regulate the cryptocurrency market. In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission has stepped up its scrutiny of initial coin offerings. And in South Korea, a major hub for cryptocurrency trading, the government has proposed new laws that would limit trading.
These crackdowns have spooked investors and caused them to pull out of the market, leading to further price declines.
So where did all the value go? It’s still there, but it’s hidden away in wallets and exchanges, waiting for the market to turn around.
Investors who believe in the long-term potential of cryptocurrency are holding on to their coins, waiting for the market to recover. Once that happens, we could see another surge in prices.
In the meantime, the crypto crash has taught us a valuable lesson: in the world of cryptocurrency, things can change in a blink of an eye. So if you’re going to invest, be prepared for some volatility.
Other related questions:
Q: What caused crypto collapse?
A: There is no one definitive answer to this question. Some possible explanations include the following:
-The Mt. Gox exchange hack
-The Chinese government cracking down on cryptocurrency trading
-Lack of mainstream adoption
-High fees and slow transaction times
-Scalability issues
Q: Can crypto completely disappear?
A: The possibility of crypto disappearing is very slim.
Q: How much money has disappeared from crypto?
A: This is impossible to know for sure, but it is estimated that around $4 billion has been lost or stolen from the cryptocurrency market since its inception.
Q: What causes crypto to pump?
A: There is no one answer to this question, as there can be many different factors that contribute to a cryptocurrency pumping (increasing in value). Some of the most common reasons include positive news or announcements related to the coin, a surge in trading activity on the exchanges where it is listed, or a general increase in interest from investors.
Bibliography
- How Crypto Disappeared Into Thin Air – The Atlantic
- How Crypto Disappeared Into Thin Air – RealClearPolitics
- How Crypto Disappeared Into Thin Air | Flipboard
- How Crypto Disappeared Into Thin Air – MSN
- Can Bitcoin Disappear in Thin Air? – Tech Times
- How Crypto Disappeared Into Thin Air : r/CryptoCurrency