Crypto Stirring Back to Life but Still Volatile

Cryptocurrencies have suffered a tough year, with all segments of the industry shedding significant value. Bitcoin, the world's biggest crypto, making up about 42% of the total market, lost more than half its value in 2022 and is now hovering around $23,000.

The value of the total crypto market tumbled from about $2.2 trillion at the end of 2021 to slightly above $1 trillion currently. However, there are signs the industry is stirring back to life. Bitcoin has gained more than 15% in the past week, solana is up more than 35%, and ethereum has climbed nearly 45%. 

Several crypto mining firms have also moved sharply higher in recent days. Marathon Digital rose 21% Monday and is up more than 50% in the past week. Riot Blockchain has surged more than 40% in the past five days while Hive Blockchain is up about 25%.

What does this mean for me? 

Analysts are warning investors not to celebrate until there is a more meaningful bounce in bitcoin. As a crypto trader, you will now know that all the historical noise about bitcoin being the digital equivalent of gold or safe haven fiat currencies is wide of the mark.  

The crypto comeback could be validation for the sector's biggest supporters. At the same time, it should also serve as a reminder that this immature market is likely to remain volatile for the foreseeable future.