Cryptocurrencies are characterized by the use of blockchain networks, which do not physically exist and lack regulation. (GlobeLiveMedia/Jovani Perez)

More and more people have decided to venture into the world of cryptocurrenciesdespite the volatility that characterizes them, with the aim of having a medium and long term investment.

Also promoted by certain figures or governments seeking to adopt these digital currencies as legal tender, crypto-currencies have experienced a roller coaster ride that has resulted in significant ups and downs that have turned many people upside down.

Here we tell you how major cryptocurrencies and their prices have evolved It is February 11, 2023

He bitcoins It is trading today at $21,870.87, which implies a change of 1.01% in the last few hours.

The second most popular virtual currency on the market, etherealhas shown a movement of 1.65% in the last 24 hours, so its value stands at $1,539.93.

In regards to Attach usis trading at $1, so last day it had a 0% move.

For its part, BNB has a value of $310.62, with a change of 1.52%, while the Litecoin It does the same with 94.43 dollars after a variation of 0.96%.

Representations of bitcoins (REUTERS / Dado Ruvic)
Representations of bitcoins (REUTERS / Dado Ruvic)

During the first weeks of May 2022, digital currencies revealed that no matter how hard they try, they cannot escape the speculative appetite.after the so-called “crypto winter” or “cryptocrash” caused several digital currencies such as the bitcoin, ethereum and the moon from Earth situation that has left many investors with no savings.

It is called “cryptoinvierno” when prices drop unexpectedly and no improvement is seen or expected over the next six months.

This last episode was carried by several elements: inflation in the world and the proposal to ban the use and extraction of these in Russia, currently in conflict with Ukraine.

This disturbing term also refers not only to the sharp drop in cryptocurrencies, but also to the decline in trading volume and months of market stagnation, a phenomenon that is not new either, since a similar event was experienced in 2018 alone.

However, the taste in the mouth that the last crisis has left is different from what we experienced four years ago, since this cryptocrash affected all virtual currencies in a domino effect and not just a few, so the fear that the negative effects may linger longer is latent.

The latest crisis has led bitcoin to astonishingly 77% drop in value, until reaching the threshold of 28,000 dollars; while others like Ethereum lost 30.88% of its value during this month. The domino effect has also affected Terra’s stablecoin LUNA, which dropped more than 100% falling from $118 to $0.09, a blow it still cannot recover from.

Despite the current scenario, there are still those who hope that digital currencies will recover, while others with the same faith have invested in them, profiting from the recent catastrophe which has also left others without savings.

Virtual currencies in Latin America

Cryptocurrencies in Argentina: Despite the fact that virtual currencies have not been legalized in Argentina, their popularity has steadily increased after the decades of financial instability that citizens have had to face, making it one of the countries of America with the largest presence of cryptocurrencies. In this sense, President Alberto Fernández suggested its use to fight inflation.

Besides bitcoin, another of the most popular cryptocurrencies is LUNA, a token with which it is traded on the Terra system and which can be purchased on the Tienda Crypto platform. This cryptocurrency managed to reach an all-time high of up to $119.18.

Cryptocurrencies in Mexico: Banco de México (Banxico) has determined that none of the institutions that participate in the national financial system can use or allow operations of any kind through this means of payment.

However, a study carried out in 2022 by the firm Finder, there is a record that in the country there are approximately 12 million Mexicans who own cryptocurrencies, that is 59% of men and 41% of women.

In Mexican territory, businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, one of the richest in the country, has shown his interest in cryptocurrencies and assured that several of his companies will accept bitcoin in the future, including his bank; So far, one of its most popular stores is already doing this.

Cryptocurrencies in Peru: The Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCR) clarified that its mission is not to be the first nor the second central bank to regulate the use of cryptocurrencies, due to the instability that characterizes them. However, a few days ago, the president of the (BCR) assured that the BCR was working on its own digital currency project.

Cryptocurrencies in Colombia: in the South American nation there are more than 500 places where it is allowed to pay with cryptocurrencies. Colombia ranks 14th out of 26 cryptocurrency adoption countries, according to the Finder report.

Citizens protest against the use of bitcoin as a means of payment, in San Salvador (El Salvador).  (EFE/Rodrigo Sura)
Citizens protest against the use of bitcoin as a means of payment, in San Salvador (El Salvador). (EFE/Rodrigo Sura)

ante a scenario in which the global economy faces various challenges such as inflation, the Russian-Ukrainian war, the impact on supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other elements, governments have started to reconsider previously unthinkable alternatives, such as regularizing cryptocurrencies.

Recently, the president of ParaguayMario Abdo Benítez, vetoed a bill to recognize the mining of the cryptocurrencies as an industrial activity and, taking this into account, establish a percentage to set the consumption quota, among other requirements.

The initiative ―which will continue to be discussed in both chambers to decide whether or not to respect the presidential veto― has given rise to debates on the considerations and the possible scope that it could have, since it must be remembered that El Salvador is the only country in the world to have recognized bitcoin as legal tender.

The Paraguayan project, which had already been previously approved by Congress, establishes that the mining rate of digital currencies does not exceed 15% from the current industrial rate, likewise, it grants permits for service providers and minors.

Another of the most specific aspects is that it is proposed create an addiction which specializes only in virtual currencies and establishes penalties, as well as other types of measures.

However, the presidential decree emphasizes that the mining of crypto assets is characterized by a strong power consumption and low labor usage, so cannot be classified as industrial consumptionbut as an intensive electricity consumption which can also compromise the development of the national industry, since the situation could arise in which the country would be forced to import electric energy in the not so distant future.

Regarding the facts, the Central Bank of Paraguay warned that none of the cryptocurrencies in existence today are backed by any monetary authorityTherefore, it is not regulated, it does not guarantee protection or security to those who use it and they are very risky investments.

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