Bitcoin at 2-month low after cryptocurrency exchange hack in South Korea

Bitcoin was trading at USD 6,780 yesterday, down from more than USD 7,500 before the weekend

AP | PTI  |  Seoul 

A South Korean cryptocurrency exchange has said hackers have stolen about one-third of the coins traded on its market, an announcement that sent prices tumbling to a two-month low.

It did not give a value but Yonhap agency cited unnamed industry sources saying coins worth about 40 billion won (USD 37 million) were lost.

If true, that would make it the biggest cryptocurrency theft reported to date in

was trading at USD 6,780 yesterday, down from more than USD 7,500 before the weekend, according to Coindesk, which monitors prices.

said it was cooperating with police and suspended trading. reports said Coinrail, launched in September, was the seventh-largest exchange in by trading volume.

has seen a craze over and other cryptocurrencies, prompting authorities to try to rein in speculative investment this year by tightening regulations.

still are popular, especially with young investors.

First Published: Tue, June 12 2018. 10:09 IST