Why Ethereum and Dogecoin are dropping today

A big hack, and some profit taking, are key factors investors are watching today.

| More on:
Disappointed man with his head on his hand looking at a falling share price his a laptop.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

What happened

Today's price action in the overall cryptocurrency market is generally bearish. Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) have dropped 2.1% and 3.2%, respectively, over the past 24 hours as of 11 a.m. ET. These moves appear to be driven by the high-profile hack of Ethereum sidechain Ronin, a significant development in both the size and scale of this heist. Dogecoin is doing what it does best, providing a high-volatility vehicle for investors to trade short-term market movements. 

Convex Finance (CRYPTO: CVX) has seen a larger drop of 4.4% over the same time frame, driven by what appears to be profit taking, following a rather dramatic rise over the past couple weeks. Convex Finance has seen its CVX tokens approximately double since mid-March on bullish expectations around this network's ability to boost staking returns on Curve Finance pools, as well as new incentives for veCRV holders. 

So what

It's important to keep these recent 24-hour moves for these tokens in the context of some rather impressive upside moves over the past couple of weeks. Most investors would agree that some profit taking is healthy for these tokens to resume their long-term march higher. Accordingly, perhaps there's nothing to see here, at least for investors with a perspective that's longer than 24 hours.

That said, this significant hack of an Ethereum sidechain may cause investors some concern. Security issues remain a key talking point for crypto bears, who are likely emboldened by this news today.

Now what

It remains to be seen whether the crypto market will brush off this hack, as it has done with the previous $320 million hack of the Solana Wormhole bridge in February. 

However, investors looking at the crypto sector as a safe place to park funds for the long term are being reminded today of some of the (potentially expensive) growing pains that can impact investor portfolios in the near term. 

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Chris MacDonald owns Ethereum and Solana. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Ethereum and Solana. The Motley Fool Australia owns and has recommended Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. 

More on International Stock News

US economy and sharemarket with piggy bank
International Stock News

What on earth is going on with the US stock market?

Let's dive in and see.

Read more »

A graphic illustration with the words NASDAQ atop a US city and currency
International Stock News

Why Big Tech became a huge wreck across the Nasdaq last night

Jerome Powell and his compadres shocked the market with an unexpected outlook.

Read more »

a man sits at a bar leaning sadly on his basketball wearing a US flag sticker on his cheekbone near a half drunk beer and looking despondent as though his basketball team has just lost a game.
International Stock News

The Dow Jones is on its longest losing streak in 46 years. What's going on?

The Dow is on a losing streak in the middle of a boom.

Read more »

A person leans over to whisper a secret to a colleague during a meeting.
International Stock News

Despite recent news, analysts still say Nvidia stock is a buy. Here's why

Last month, Nvidia was the most valuable company in the world.

Read more »

A young girl looks up and balances a pencil on her nose, while thinking about a decision she has to make.
International Stock News

After gaining 2,100%, is Nvidia stock done?

Nvidia has taken off as one of the key players in chips and services for artificial intelligence.

Read more »

A young couple in the back of a convertible car each raise a single arm in the air whilst enjoying a drive along the road.
International Stock News

Why Tesla stock just jumped again

Wedbush's Dan Ives thinks the stock will keep moving higher thanks to Tesla's self-driving technology.

Read more »

An older couple hold hands as they bounce happily high in the air.
International Stock News

Why the Alphabet share price just leapt higher

Investors seem to hope the Trump administration will be friendly to Alphabet and its big-tech peers.

Read more »

A panel of four judges hold up cards all showing the perfect score of ten out of ten
International Stock News

Top Wall Street analyst calls Tesla stock a top pick. Is it a buy now?

Tesla shares have been on fire lately, rising more than 70% since the November 5 election.

Read more »