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Bitcoin’s slump has continued over the weekend, as the most speculative of assets has been hammered the hardest as the excesses of the previous few years have been wrung from global markets. 

The largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization hit $40,000 for the first time since late September, increasing its losses from a high barely three months ago to almost 42 percent. Ether, the second-largest digital asset, fell as well, and popular Defi tokens like Uniswap and Aave remained under pressure over the weekend. 

The turbulence comes amid hints that the Federal Reserve is preparing to confront persistent inflation by withdrawing assistance.

Minutes from the central bank’s December meeting, released on Wednesday, hinted at the possibility of earlier and faster-than-expected rate rises, as well as a potential balance-sheet drawdown. These moves would drain liquidity from the economy, perhaps dulling the lustre of high-growth and speculative assets. 

“If the Fed becomes more aggressive, risk assets, including cryptocurrency, become more susceptible,” said Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak & Co. 

Cryptocurrencies are an excellent indicator of the present decline in risk appetite. However, estimates suggest that Bitcoin will eventually come out on top when the globe turns digital and the coin becomes the standard collateral.

As institutions and normal investors were interested in the crypto market and its linked projects, the Covid-19 epidemic assisted Bitcoin’s mainstreaming. Riskier assets, such as stocks and digital assets, have declined as the Fed has been more hawkish. The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index, which tracks some of the most popular cryptocurrencies, has lost around 10% since the beginning of the year through Friday. 

The asset class’s declines might herald the onset of a mini-bear market. Recent investors may leave, leaving long-term investors as the primary stockholders. 

“It’s a heart-pounding, nerve-wracking experience for any investor looking at it, especially if they’re coming from a traditional stocks market, but this is very normal for this asset class.”

Indeed, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are notorious for their volatility, with large up or down movements occurring in a matter of minutes. 

Weekend trading can amplify volatility. This is due to a number of variables, including lower trading volumes and a market structure comprised of hundreds of unconnected exchanges that function as their own islands of liquidity. Bitcoin saw a weekend flash crash in early December, shedding 21 percent at its lowest.

Meanwhile, it makes sense for prices to fall as the Fed begins to remove stimulus more aggressively. Because there are no evident near-term triggers to help turn things around, the decline might last a little longer.

At the same time, the foundations of cryptocurrency are stronger than ever, despite the fact that prices are volatile. The principles will triumph in the long run.