Opening the year trading sideways, cryptocurrency markets have experienced their sharpest decline since the flash crash of December. The crypto market sell-off has seen more than $200 billion wiped off from the global crypto market cap.

 

The total market cap over the last 6 months. Source: Tradingview

With the most cryptos dropping by double digits, the global crypto market cap has reached its lowest point since September 2021. While crypto markets are known to be volatile, a slump of this magnitude has been linked to certain events.

Fed Report Sparks Market Slump

In December, reports from the Federal Reserve’s December FOMC session suggested that the United States would be halting its stimulus efforts and increasing interest rate in 2022. With the confirmation of that report, global stock markets plunged into decline.

Joining the global stock markets hours later, the volatility of crypto markets was highlighted once again. The crypto market dropped more than 10% of its cumulative value. The market, which hit a $3 trillion valuation in November, is now at $2.035 trillion.

Over the last 24 hours;

Bitcoin has lost 7%, now trading at $42,981

 

The 24 hours price chart of Bitcoin (BTC). Source: Tradingview

Ethereum has fallen by 11%, now trading at $3,374

 

The 24 hours price chart of Ethereum (ETH). Source: Tradingview

Binance Coin (BNB) has lost 9%, now trading at $465.5

 

The 24 hours price chart of Binance (BNB). Source: Tradingview

Solana has lost 12%, now trading at $148.46

 

The 24 hours price chart of Solana (SOL). Source: Tradingview

Cardano (ADA) has lost 8.5%, now trading at $1.21549

 

The 24 hours price chart of Cardano (ADA). Source: Tradingview

Ripple (XRP) has lost 8.4%, now trading at $0.75525

 

The 24 hours price chart of Ripple (XRP). Source: Tradingview

Terra (LUNA) has lost 11%, now trading at $75.895

 

The 24 hours price chart of Terra (LUNA). Source: Tradingview

Polkadot (DOT) has lost 13.5%, now trading at $26.0216

 

The 24 hours price chart of Polkadot (DOT). Source: Tradingview

Another possible reason for the drop could be traced to the mining of Bitcoin in Kazakhstan. Following growing protests sparked by fuel costs in Kazakhstan, the government cut off the country’s internet access. As it did, more than 18% of the world’s bitcoin hashrate disappeared.

On The Flipside

 

  • Despite a major sell-off, many investors still hold on to their predictions for 2022. With many suggesting Bitcoin would hit $100k this year.

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