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 invest in 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, cryptocurrencies 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 22, 2023

He bitcoins It is trading today at $24,188.84, which implies a change of -1.01% over the past few hours.

The second most popular digital currency on the market, etherealshowed a movement of -0.89% in the last 24 hours, so its value stands at $1,643.23.

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

For its part, BNB has a value of $312.78, with a change of 0.42%, while the Litecoin It does the same with 95.22 dollars after a variation of 1.61%.

A representation of bitcoin.  (REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian)
A representation of bitcoin. (REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian)

In May 2022, virtual currencies revealed that no matter how hard they try, they cannot escape the speculative appetiteafter the so-called “crypto winter” or “cryptocrash” caused several digital currencies such as the bitcoin, ethereum and earth moon situation that left many investors in shambles.

His name is “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 digital currencies, 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 cryptocurrencies 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.

Cryptocurrencies in Argentina: Although virtual currencies have not been legalized in Argentina, their use has increased after decades of financial instability that citizens have faced, making it one of the countries in Latin 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 Mexico, businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, one of the wealthiest in the country, has expressed interest in cryptocurrencies and assured that several of his businesses will accept bitcoin in the future, including his bank ; currently, 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.

Photograph of billboards offering bitcoin as payment near El Zonte Beach, Chiltiupan, El Salvador.  (EFE / Miguel Lemus)
Photograph of billboards offering bitcoin as a form of payment near El Zonte Beach, Chiltiupan, El Salvador. (EFE / Miguel Lemus)

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 unimaginable 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 debated in both chambers to decide whether or not to respect the presidential veto – has raised more than one eyebrow at the considerations and the possible scope 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 important aspects is that it is proposed create an addiction which specializes only in cryptocurrencies and establishes penalties, as well as other types of measures.

However, the presidential decree recalls 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 that exist 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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