The world's biggest virtual currency Bitcoin continued to slide after Celsius's announcement, dropping more than 7.8 per cent to $24,502, its lowest since December 2020. Reuters
The world's biggest virtual currency Bitcoin continued to slide after Celsius's announcement, dropping more than 7.8 per cent to $24,502, its lowest since December 2020. Reuters
The world's biggest virtual currency Bitcoin continued to slide after Celsius's announcement, dropping more than 7.8 per cent to $24,502, its lowest since December 2020. Reuters
The world's biggest virtual currency Bitcoin continued to slide after Celsius's announcement, dropping more than 7.8 per cent to $24,502, its lowest since December 2020. Reuters

Bitcoin tanks as crypto lender Celsius freezes withdrawals and markets tumble


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Major US cryptocurrency lending company Celsius Network on Monday froze withdrawals because of "extreme market conditions", in the latest sign of pressure on the sector from tumbling crypto markets.

Celsius Network, a significant player in crypto lending, offers interest-bearing products to customers who deposit their cryptocurrencies with the company, and lends out crypto currencies to earn a return.

It raised $750 million in funding late in November from investors, including Canada's second-largest pension fund. The company was valued at the time at $3.25 billion.

In a blog post, the company said it had frozen withdrawals, as well as transfers between accounts, "to stabilise liquidity and operations while we take steps to preserve and protect assets".

"We are taking this action today to put Celsius in a better position to honour, over time, its withdrawal obligations."

The Celsius move puts the spotlight on the sustainability of crypto lending firms after a period of breakneck growth last year fuelled by low interest rates and booming crypto markets.

The surge of interest in crypto lending led to concerns from regulators, especially in the US, who are worried about investor protections and systemic risks.

Crypto markets have come under pressure alongside stocks and other assets in financial markets amid rising interest rates and surging inflation. The collapse in May of the so-called stablecoin terraUSD and its sister token luna has also shaken the crypto industry.

The largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, fell further after Celsius's announcement, dropping more than 7.8 per cent to $24,502, its lowest since December 2020.

Ether, the second largest token, dropped as much as 12 per cent to $1,245, its lowest since March 2021.

Major investors and venture capital firms bet heavily last year on the crypto lending sector.

As of May 17, Celsius Network had $11.8bn in assets, its website said, down by more than half from October, and had processed a total of $8.2bn worth of loans.

Chief executive Alex Mashinsky was quoted in October last year saying Celsius had more than $25bn in assets.

Mr Mashinsky did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment outside US business hours.

In a tweet on Monday, rival crypto lender Nexo said it had offered unspecified help to Celsius, but was refused. It said it was "putting together an offer" for any assets.

The company's website on Monday was offering interest rates of up to 18.6 per cent.

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MATCH DETAILS

Barcelona 0

Slavia Prague 0

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Seung-gyu%2C%20Jo%20Hyeon-woo%2C%20Song%20Bum-keun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Young-gwon%2C%20Kim%20Min-jae%2C%20Jung%20Seung-hyun%2C%20Kim%20Ju-sung%2C%20Kim%20Ji-soo%2C%20Seol%20Young-woo%2C%20Kim%20Tae-hwan%2C%20Lee%20Ki-je%2C%20Kim%20Jin-su%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPark%20Yong-woo%2C%20Hwang%20In-beom%2C%20Hong%20Hyun-seok%2C%20Lee%20Soon-min%2C%20Lee%20Jae-sung%2C%20Lee%20Kang-in%2C%20Son%20Heung-min%20(captain)%2C%20Jeong%20Woo-yeong%2C%20Moon%20Seon-min%2C%20Park%20Jin-seob%2C%20Yang%20Hyun-jun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStrikers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHwang%20Hee-chan%2C%20Cho%20Gue-sung%2C%20Oh%20Hyeon-gyu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Napoleon
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Ridley%20Scott%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Joaquin%20Phoenix%2C%20Vanessa%20Kirby%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey

Directed by: Pete Doctor

Rating: 4 stars

Updated: June 13, 2022, 11:01 AM