Cryptocurrencies failed to hold onto gains Tuesday as US stocks also faltered and extended losses for a sixth straight session.

Bitcoin, the world’s largest digital asset by market value, fell as much as 1.2% to trade around $18,878, failing to sustain an earlier advance. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, also dropped. Most major digital assets were posting declines as of 1:45 p.m. in New York. 

The downturn occurred as US stocks turned lower, with the S&P 500 on pace for a sixth session of losses. Global financial markets have been gripped by volatility as central banks continue to promise that they’re going to keep raising interest rates to fight inflation that’s proven stickier than many had thought. 

“BTC did seem to pick up the risk selloff once again today. Followers of the ecosystem have been excited to see correlations with risk-assets begin to break, meaning the ‘fast-money’ speculative crowd may be losing their influence on the space,” said Stephane Ouellette, chief executive of FRNT Financial Inc. “With today’s move, it doesn’t seem like we’re quite there yet -- but consolidation at these levels continues to move in a bullish direction where loose hands sell BTC to the near cult-like ‘hodler’ community.”

Eoin Treacy's view

At one point this morning bitcoin was up over $1000. That was clear evidence of the buy the dip instinct is still alive and well. Unfortunately for the bulls the early enthusiasm was not sustained through the close and bitcoin finished in negative territory.
As I have been saying for years, bitcoin is a liquidity barometer. Not only have each of the halvenings been notable for a halving of the pace of new supply but massive monetary and fiscal stimulus has fuelled speculation. We are two years out from the next halvening and monetary conditions are tightening. This is the time to expect a crypto winter.