The Biggest Crypto Crashes In The World, Ranked

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Saturday, June 22, 2024

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The unpredictable nature of crypto investments yields astounding successes and jarring setbacks. The temperamental dynamics of these digital assets have resulted in devastating crashes that have sent seismic shockwaves throughout the financial sector. The emotional highs and lows of investors and fans coincided with key inflection points that irreversibly altered the landscape. Descending into the darkness of these crashes, we probe the most remarkable cryptocurrency disasters, grading them based on their intensity and magnitude. From the early days of Bitcoin's staggering fall to the recent global tremors shaking the market, this article chronicles the heart-stopping moments when fortunes were dismantled, lessons were learned, and the crypto market proved its resilience amidst the chaos.

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December 2013: -50% Crash

Via Flickr/Daily Crypto

The cryptocurrency market witnessed a remarkable turn of events in December 2013 as China implemented a sweeping ban on Bitcoin trading and restricted financial institutions from working with digital currencies. In response to this regulatory shift, Bitcoin's value dropped by 50% abruptly. The occurrence reinforced the idea that cryptocurrencies face unique challenges rooted in their integration into a rapidly evolving economic landscape, with regulatory actions and interactions with conventional financial frameworks representing two key factors contributing to their vulnerability.

May 2021: -53% Crash

Via Flickr/Tim Reckmann

The cryptocurrency market encountered a tumultuous crash in May 2021, resulting in a substantial loss of value. The market fell due to a confluence of events, such as Elon Musk's reversal on accepting Bitcoin payments for Tesla vehicles, China's renewed assault on cryptocurrencies, and rising concerns over the environmental impact of crypto mining. Bitcoin, the most prominent cryptocurrency, headed the price decline with a 53% decline. This collapse highlighted the market's sensitivity to external factors and the cryptocurrency market's enduring volatility.

August 2012: -56% Crash

Via Flickr/smith kerry

The crypto market suffered a crushing blow in August when a deceitful investment strategy sent Bitcoin values tumbling. Investors were duped into believing they would receive remarkable weekly returns when their investments were being squandered. The incident underscored the urgent requirement for vigilance and control in the cryptocurrency domain.

The 2022 Selloff: BTC -72.44% Crash

Via Flickr/Stock Catalog

The panic selling of 2022 sent ripples throughout the digital asset world, mainly as Bitcoin tumbled -72.44%. To initiate a standard market adjustment, the downward trend gained momentum, resulting in substantial value loss. From its lofty height of $69,044 to a humble $19,047, Bitcoin witnessed a breathtaking descent, leaving investors reeling. The intense tightening observed in the market highlights the inherent unpredictability of financial markets and the difficulties involved in maintaining equilibrium amidst constant change. The 2022 selloff is a stark reminder that crypto fortunes can shift dramatically, prompting both caution and resilience among participants as they navigate an evolving and often unpredictable financial frontier.

April 2013: -83% Crash

Via Flickr/Coin Grammar

In April 2013, a devastating collapse shook the cryptocurrency world, as Bitcoin's value plummeted an astounding 83%. Rapid demand growth overwhelmed the Mt. Gox exchange, resulting in a catastrophic selloff. The resultant chaos was exploited by hackers, causing a vicious cycle of panic selling and further price decline. In days, the price of Bitcoin plummeted from nearly $260 to $50. This collapse highlighted the emerging digital currency market's immense profit potential and inherent volatility.

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December 2017-December 2018: -84% Crash

Via Flickr/Coin Grammar

December 2017 to December 2018 witnessed a pronounced slump in crypto market performance. Following an extraordinary surge in value in 2017, Bitcoin's market saw a steep decline, culminating in a catastrophic 84% loss in cryptocurrency prices. Bitcoin's sharp rise was followed by a sustained selloff, causing monumental losses in market cap and testing investor resolve. This crash is an unfortunate example of why vigilance is essential in a market prone to wild price swings.

June 2011: -99% Crash

Via flickr/Coin Grammar

In June 2011, the cryptocurrency market had a significant event when Bitcoin encountered a substantial decline of -99%, causing a notable disruption. The occurrence of a substantial decrease can be attributed to a severe cyber attack that occurred at Mt. Gox, which was the foremost Bitcoin exchange during that period. Within a short period, the value of Bitcoin experienced a significant decline, plummeting from a substantial $32 to a nominal cent. This disastrous event brought attention to the initial vulnerabilities within the Bitcoin ecosystem, clearly warning of the inherent hazards associated with this developing digital frontier.

Terra/Luna Crash: -99.9991% Crash

Via Flickr/bk1498528 Blore

With a staggering -99.9991% drop, the Terra/Luna crash of 2022 ranks as one of the worst moments in crypto history. The native token of the Terra system, Luna (LUNA), fell from $116 to a tiny $0.0001 in value, underscoring the turbulence of the cryptocurrency market. Terra's stablecoin UST failed to maintain its $1 peg, triggering this extraordinary drop, which triggered a wave of panic selling that culminated in this massive catastrophe.

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Source: Bloomberg, Cointelegraph, Beincrypto

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