Skip to content
Monday 31 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,824.26
+0.29%
DAX
26,569.99
0.00%
CAC 40
8,401.18
0.00%
STOXX 50
6,485.67
0.00%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Friday 21 May 2021 12:02 pm

Ethereum volatility increases as FUD continues to pour in

By: Crypto AM Daily with James Bowater | Crypto Insider

Add as a preferred source on Google
Crypto AM Daily in association with Luno

Crypto at a glance

It was another turbulent day in the markets, as the Bitcoin price continues to bounce up and down like a skittle on a snare drum. The leading cryptocurrency dropped to a low of $35,000 before recovering to above the $42,000 line.

It’s currently trading at around the $40,000 level, with the price again unchanged over the last 24 hours despite the volatility. What does this weekend hold in store?

The volatility comes as FUD continues to pour in from anti-Bitcoiners apparently sensing an opportunity. Yesterday’s dose comes to you courtesy of the US Treasury report, who called for businesses that receive transfers of more than $10,000 in cryptocurrencies to report them to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They’re meeting stiff resistance at the moment, with the price holding strong.

Private equity giant David Rubenstein also yesterday came out in favour of Bitcoin, claiming there was little the government could do to stop it. Who’ll tire first? A plague of cyber hornets or fax machine-loving Paul Krugman?

The IRS announcement coincided with a price drop across the board, with Ethereum falling five per cent on the news. The alt markets continue to look more volatile than Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s 30-day volatility is currently more than 90 per cent for the first time since March, while Ethereum’s is roughly 120 per cent. It’s currently changing hands for around $2,700 though, the same as yesterday. Indeed, only XRP and MATIC are down today, having looked like they’d weathered the storm relatively well. They’re down five per cent and seven per cent respectively.

All feedback on Crypto AM Daily in association with Luno is welcome via email to [email protected] ??

In the markets

The Bitcoin economy

*Definitions and insights can be found at https://bytetree.com/insights/

Total crypto market cap

The total capitalisation of the entire cryptocurrency market at time of writing is currently $1,742,810,292,092, down from $1,760,410,472,285 yesterday.

What Bitcoin did yesterday

We closed yesterday, May 20 2021, at a price of $40,782.74, up from $37,002.44,the day before.

The daily high yesterday was $42,462.98 and the daily low was $35,050.62.

This time last year, the price of bitcoin closed the day at $9,522.98. In 2019, it closed at $7,978.31.

Bitcoin market capitalisation

Bitcoin’s market capitalisation at time of writing is $744.19 billion, down from $761.42 billion yesterday. To put it into context, the market cap of gold is $11.905 trillion and Tesla is $565.25 billion.

Bitcoin volume

The total spot trading volume reported by all exchanges over the last 24 hours was $73,531,307,634, up from $133,033,444,219 yesterday. High volumes can indicate that a significant price movement has stronger support and is more likely to be sustained.

Volatility

The price volatility of Bitcoin over the last 30 days is 90.28%.

Fear and Greed Index

Market sentiment today is at 19, up from 11 yesterday.

Bitcoin’s market dominance

Bitcoin’s market dominance today is 43.46, down from 43.93 yesterday. Its lowest ever recorded dominance was 37.09 on January 8 2018.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

The daily RSI is currently 30.70, down from 32.08 yesterday. Values of 70 or above indicate that an asset is becoming overbought and may be primed for a trend reversal or experience a correction in price – an RSI reading of 30 or below indicates an oversold or undervalued condition.

Convince your Nan: Soundbite of the day

“Crypto has come from nowhere to be a force in the market … it’s here to stay. Cryptocurrency is not going away. The idea that the government is going to stop cryptocurrency from being something investors want is unrealistic.”

– David Rubenstein, co-founder and Co-Chairman of the Board @ The Carlyle Group

What they said yesterday

The debate continues…

Previously, we demonstrated how bitcoin minting could allow solar + battery systems to economically scale to provide a larger share of grid energy.

As expected (in this update) the result holds across different historical bitcoin pricing/hash timeframes https://t.co/s70jCvR5sd

— Brett Winton (@wintonARK) May 20, 2021

Is economic freedom a ‘waste’ of energy?

Growing up in Nigeria, I see #Bitcoin with a different lens than you do if you grew up in the US for example.

Thank God for #Bitcoin

— Bernard ‘berlin’ Parah ⚡️ (@bernard_parah) May 20, 2021

A bit of good news…

Wow. This is really important. David Rubinstein is one of the most respected investors with the best DC ties ever. https://t.co/eR5iATZxr0

— Mike Novogratz (@novogratz) May 20, 2021

Good news for Sri Lanka…

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency make its way to Parliament, First major level step to legitimacy and recognition for acceptance of Digital Cryptography in #Srilanka

Been a long wait for us @RajapaksaNamal pic.twitter.com/oIEeOng1ir

— Nadvi Mohideen (@theonlyNadvi) May 20, 2021

Crypto AM Editor writes

Bitcoin gets the jitters as Elon Musk’s curious meddling continues…

Dogecoin inventor takes a swipe at “self absorbed” Musk…

Read more

Oil price falls but Trump and Iran clash on negotiations claim

Donald Trump smiling in a blue suit and tie with an American flag pin, US flag in background

Ethereum yet to take off and is on track for $5,200 soon say experts…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/ethereum-yet-to-take-off-and-is-on-track-for-5200-soon-say-experts/

Ethereum punches through $3,000 with market cap bigger than Bank of America…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/ethereum-punches-through-3000-with-market-cap-bigger-than-bank-of-america/

Ethereum closing in on $3,000 as Bitcoin eases off the throttle…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/ethereum-closing-in-on-3000-as-bitcoin-eases-off-the-throttle/

Cardano teams up with Save the Children for humanitarian initiative….

https://cityam.go-vip.net/cardano-teams-up-with-save-the-children-for-humanitarian-initiative/

HMRC were not clamping down on crypto…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/hmrc-were-not-clamping-down-on-crypto/

Binance jumps on the NFT market…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/binance-jumps-on-the-nft-market/

Ethiopia overhauls its educational system with IOHK blockchain partnership…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/ethiopia-overhauls-its-education-system-with-iohk-blockchain-partnership/

Crypto AM: Longer Reads

Morning Wire Markets: What is Decentralised Finance (DeFi) by Aave…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/what-is-decentralised-finance/

Crypto AM: Conversation with James Bowater

https://cityam.go-vip.net/africas-huge-potential-could-be-the-key-to-mass-adoption-for-crypto/

Crypto AM: Market View

https://cityam.go-vip.net/bitcoin-bounces-back-to-58k-level-and-ethereum-breaks-3k/

Crypto AM: Technically Speaking

https://cityam.go-vip.net/keeping-bitcoin-volatility-risk-at-bay/

Crypto AM: A Trader’s View with TMG

https://cityam.go-vip.net/bitcoin-is-a-safer-option-than-using-a-traditional-bank/

Crypto AM: Mixing in the Metaverse with Dr Chris Kacher

https://cityam.go-vip.net/mobile-surge-coming-as-reserve-currencies-reach-life-expectancy/

Crypto AM: Talking Legal

https://cityam.go-vip.net/the-work-of-art-in-the-age-of-mathematical-reproduction/

Crypto AM: Spotlight

https://cityam.go-vip.net/crypto-am-shines-its-spotlight-on-sheesha-finance/

Crypto AM: Founders Series

https://cityam.go-vip.net/using-blockchain-to-overcome-the-challenge-of-universal-connectivity/

Crypto AM: Industry Voices

https://cityam.go-vip.net/institutional-clients-are-here-but-is-the-crypto-market-ready-to-welcome-them/

Crypto AM: Tiptoe through the Crypto with Monty Munford

https://cityam.go-vip.net/balls-to-britpop-britbox-and-britcoin/

Crypto AM: Definitively DeFi

https://cityam.go-vip.net/re-defining-finance-raises-launchpads/

Crypto AM Parliamentary Special

Part one of two – April 2021

https://cityam.go-vip.net/the-government-is-cautious-about-crypto-but-i-think-well-get-there/

Part two of two – April 2021

https://cityam.go-vip.net/opening-our-eyes-to-financial-inclusion-for-the-good-of-the-economy/

Five part series – March 2021

Part one…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/financial-services-bill-time-to-act/

Part two…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/financial-institutions-should-consider-appointing-ai-officers/

Part three…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/dlt-may-not-be-the-silver-bullet-but-its-worth-a-shot/

Part four…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/theres-a-real-prize-for-the-uk-to-lead-when-it-comes-to-distributed-digital-id/

Part five…

https://cityam.go-vip.net/we-need-to-strap-a-rocket-to-the-governments-fintech-thinking/

Crypto AM: Recommended Events

AIBC World

May 25 to 26 2021 – Dubai

https://aibc.world/events/uae/general-info/

Bitcoin 2021

June 3 to 5 2021 – Miami

https://b.tc/conference

Crypto AM Canada Roundtable

Crypto AM DeFi & Digital Inclusion Summit

&

Crypto AM Awards 2021

September 29 to 30 2021

Cautionary Notes

It’s definitely tempting to get swept up in the excitement, but please heed these words of caution: Do your own research, only invest what you can afford, and make good decisions. The indicators contained in this article will hopefully help in this. Remember though, the content of this article is for information purposes only and is not investment advice or any form of recommendation or invitation. Morning Wire, Crypto AM and Luno always advise you to obtain your own independent financial advice before investing or trading in cryptocurrency.

All information is correct as of 08:30am GMT.

Read more

Iran war could ‘halt growth’ across UK economy 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, in a dark suit and glasses, listening intently at a wooden table.

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • Blockbeat

Trending Articles

  • Pensioners to hand over bank statements in government benefits crackdown

  • City firms mandate phone and face-to-face comms bootcamps for Gen Z lawyers

  • Jamie Carragher: HMRC petitions for Sky Sports star to be declared bankrupt

  • Jamie Vardy bags Bundesliga rights as he steps up streaming war with Neville and Lineker

  • Wine to buy this week: The very best Pinot Noir on the shelves

More from Morning Wire

  • Oil price falls but Trump and Iran clash on negotiations claim

    Markets
    Donald Trump smiling in a blue suit and tie with an American flag pin, US flag in background
  • Iran war could ‘halt growth’ across UK economy 

    Economics
    Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, in a dark suit and glasses, listening intently at a wooden table.
  • ‘Grinding it out’: Ibstock swings to loss and cuts dividend amid building slump

    Property
    Construction workers hands building a brick wall with mortar and a leveling tool, demonstrating masonry work
  • Google backs publisher model as Apple considers price tag for news

    Media
    AI copyright laws
  • House prices suffer biggest August slump in eight years 

    Property
    Aerial view of colorful residential houses built on a hillside, nestled among green trees, representing housing markets
  • TOURISE and Oxford Economics Release New Global Report on Tourism Resilience in an Era of Permanent Disruption

    Business Wire
  • Milliman names Jim Fulton next CEO

    Business Wire
  • Manufacturers overcome gloomy economy as output surge continues

    Industrials
    Manufacturing sector faces mounting tribunal pressures amid economic uncertainty
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook