REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel
- The New York Police Department said the bomb threats that have been reported around the country Thursday afternoon were emailed by someone demanding bitcoin.
- Following the news, bitcoin slumped to fresh lows, down more than 6%.
- Bitcoin has lost half of its value since November 14.
- Watch Bitcoin trade live.
Bitcoin was down more than 6% to near $3,300 a coin after the New York Police Department said that bomb threats that have been emailed around the country Thursday afternoon were made by someone demanding bitcoin. Thursday's selling had the cryptocurrency contending with its lowest level in over a year.
"Please be advised - there is an email being circulated containing a bomb threat asking for bitcoin payment," the NYPD said in a tweet. "While this email has been sent to numerous locations, searches have been conducted and NO DEVICES have been found."
The NYPD added that these threats are meant to cause disruption or obtain money, and that the threats do not appear to be credible. The threats were made across the country, according to the FBI. At least 13 threats were made in New York City, NBC 4 said.
Bitcoin, the largest digital currency by market value, has lost half of its value since November 14, making a difficult year for crypto investors even worse.
Investors in the digital currency saw its price explode in 2017 as cryptomania swept over the world. Bitcoin began 2017 worth less than $1,000 a coin before soaring more than 2,000% to a high of $19,511.
This year has been a different story, however, with the cryptocurrency's value having plunged by 75%.
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