1). Facebook bans ads.
Social-media giant Facebook Inc. FB, -0.63% on Tuesday said it would ban cryptocurrency ads on its platform.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/no-more-annoying-bitcoin-ads-on-facebook-2018-01-302). India cracks down on cryptocurrencies.
Indias finance minister Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech on Thursday said the domestic government would take all measures to remove digital currencies in financing illegitimate activities or as part of the payment system.
3). Bitfinex and Tether concerns
Tether and its sister company Bitfinex have been raising eyebrows within the digital-currency community, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission subpoenaing the companies as critics question the accuracy behind assertions that every tether is supported by actual bank reserves.
The most serious allegation against Tether is that its coins are digitally minted to purchase bitcoin on the Bitfinex exchange, which in turn drives up the price in the worlds No. 1 crypto asset, drawing business as the cyber unit climbs.
4). Crypto hack
Japanese exchange Coincheck Inc. said it planned to spend up to ¥46.3 billion ($426 million) to pay back customers after the theft of some $530 million in Nem s XEM tokens, the biggest heist since the 2014 hack of bitcoin stores at Mt. Gox.
5). Inherent volatility
Bitcoin and its ilk have been naturally volatile but that volatility has accelerated so far in 2018 as digital currencies have seen mainstream focus and greater scrutiny from U.S. and Asian regulators.