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Cryptocurrencies Attempt Recovery Amid Weekly Bloodbath Over Regulatory Concerns

Published 01/19/2018, 09:27 AM
Updated 01/19/2018, 09:27 AM
© Reuters.  Cryptoocurrencies register double-digit weekly losses amid regulatory concerns

© Reuters. Cryptoocurrencies register double-digit weekly losses amid regulatory concerns

Investing.com – Cryptocurrencies fought on Friday to recover from a weekly bloodbath that saw double-digit losses among their largest members.

These digital assets have experienced a volatile start to 2018 after a massive rally last year as worries over increased regulatory scrutiny hit the market.

Policymakers in South Korea once again indicated on Thursday that they are considering shutting down domestic cryptocurrency exchanges. The country is one is one of the largest markets for major coins like bitcoin and ethereum.

Chinese regulators have moved to rein in financial risks associated with virtual currency trades and pyramid schemes.

The Chinese public security ministry said on Friday that the world’s second largest economy will crack down on online pyramid schemes, including speculation masked as cryptocurrencies and online games. As concerns over investor protection grow across the globe.

The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission on Thursday raised alarm about the safety of bitcoin-themed investments, telling the fund industry they want answers to their concerns before endorsing more than a dozen proposed products based on cryptocurrencies.

The SEC's division of investment management demanded answers to at least 31 detailed questions about how mutual funds or exchange-traded funds based on bitcoin would store, safeguard, and price that asset.

“There are a number of significant investor protection issues that need to be examined before sponsors begin offering these funds to investors,” the SEC's director of the division of investment management Dalia Blass warned in a letter to fund managers who unleashed a range of proposals for funds holding bitcoin or related assets.

The International Monetary Fund is calling for global coordination on cryptocurrencies as it warned of the risks from surging prices.

“Greater international discussion and cooperation among regulators, yes, would be helpful,” IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters Thursday in Washington.

Governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrency trading, and policymakers are expected to discuss the matter at a G20 summit in Argentina in March.

As of 9:19AM ET (14:19GMT), most of the major cryptocurrencies, known for extreme volatility, were registering gains on the back of heavy weekly losses.

Specifically, Bitcoin, the largest by market cap, traded up around 19% at $11,703.00, but was still on track for losses of more than 14% in the last seven days.

Number two Ethereum rose 3.8% to $1,073.90, with a weekly decline of about 13%.

The more “affordable” competitor Ripple traded up 5.5% to $1.61745, reducing its weekly losses to about 18%.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin-offshoot Bitcoin Cash edged forward 0.4% to $1,803.10 but still chalked up a weekly plunge of more than 28%.

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