Bitcoin (BTC), Cryptocurrency–With Bitcoin again slipping below $4000, the market of cryptocurrency is continuing the bear trend into the final month of the year.
After several months of low price volatility, where the fluctuation in value for the number one cryptocurrency by market cap dropped below that of tech stocks, it appeared that the crypto markets were going to make an eventful upward turn in November. Part of the influx of investment was driven by Bitcoin Cash, as buyers anticipated the minting of new coins following its hard fork on November 15.
However, the opposite occurred, with the coin plummeting in value in the hours leading up to the split and dragging most of the market with it. Instead of providing a resurgence to market prices, the forking of Bitcoin Cash into Bitcoin ABC and SV created a strong degree of investor uncertainty which in turn led to falling prices. The two camps, helmed by crypto figureheads Roger Ver and Craig Wright, created an all out “hash war,” which drew the wrong kind of attention for crypto and led to a general fire sale for the market.
Bitcoin plummeted alongside altcoins, and nearly $100 billion was wiped from the market capitalization in less than two weeks. While BTC watched a steady erosion in price throughout 2018, falling from an all time high of $20,000 at the end of last year to its stable trading point around $6500, the bottom fell out for the currency. Bitcoin dropped further to $3500, with nearly all analysts predicting a bleak outlook for the recovery of cryptocurrency prices that could continue into next year–and possibly beyond.
As reported by Bloomberg, the most recent price fall for Bitcoin was as bleak as it appeared to investors, with November constituting the worst month for BTC in the last seven years. While investors were flush in the midst of a bull run for Bitcoin at this time a year ago, November saw the currency drop 37 percent to a relative low for 2018, which constitutes the biggest loss since August 2011 when BTC fell 39 percent to $8.90. As previously reported by EWN, billionaire investor Mike Novogratz of Galaxy Digital Holdings admitted to the steep drop in valuation for cryptos and his crypto-based fund. Speaking in a conference call on November 30, Novogratz made no attempt to sugar coat the situation,
“It’s been a horrible bear market in tokens.”
However, as prices continue to find shaky ground in their lowest trading range of the year, general enthusiasts for cryptocurrency continue to find developments to be excited for, in addition to the catalyzing work of some development teams. Last week, EWN reported on a commitment by the TRON Foundation, makers of the TRX currency, to pay out $100 million over three years to spur innovation and creation of blockchain gaming for their network.
As token prices continue to cause headaches for long-term investors, adoption and blockchain growth is a positive for cryptocurrency advocates to hang their hat upon. While Novogratz, a long time Bitcoin and crypto bull, admitted defeat in 2018, even he pointed out that bubbling adoption today could lead to big moves–including institutionally backed investments–in 2019 and 2020.
