Bitcoin snaps five-day rally after flirting with record high

[NEW YORK] Bitcoin declined for the first time in six trading sessions alongside a broader easing of risk-on sentiment in financial markets.

The world's largest cryptocurrency slipped 1.1 per cent Friday to trade at US$56,965 at 5pm in New York. On Thursday, the token climbed within US$200 of the all-time high of US$58,350 set on Feb 21. The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index, tracking Bitcoin, Ether and three other cryptocurrencies slumped 2.5 per cent "The bears' last stand is the US$57,800 level, and it looks like we might be seeing that battle play out before the week is over," said Matt Blom, global head of sales trading at EQUOS. "On the downside, continued selling above US$57,000 will see us slip back toward US$56,620 and potentially US$55,000. Any move below here will be supported by dip-buying bulls and dip-buying bears alike." Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported Friday that the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance Holdings, has come under scrutiny from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over concerns that the company may have allowed Americans to place bets in violation of US rules.

The digital asset is up nearly tenfold in the past year as optimism over rising institutional demand pushed prices to record highs. While some say that Bitcoin is a stimulus-fuelled bubble likely to burst, industry participants argue that institutional adoption will prevent Bitcoin from plummeting from its highs as was witnessed in 2017-2018.

BLOOMBERG