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Bitcoin price takes a hit as largest trader halts withdrawals

The price of one bitcoin has fallen from €676 to €451 after a software bug forces MtGox to halt all withdrawals on the site.

BITCOIN TOOK A hit in price as one of the digital currency’s largest traders, MtGox, was forced to halt all withdrawals because of a software bug.

The company has said it’s been forced to take this action due to the way bitcoin withdrawals were being processed, going from a MtGox wallet to an external bitcoin address.

The payment processor, which handles more than 80 per cent of all bitcoin transactions, says that the problem is being caused by “transaction malleability,” a bug in bitcoin software which makes it possible to use the network to alter transaction deals to make it seem like one didn’t occur when it did.

The problem experienced by MtGox could be part of a broader problem that would affect the wider bitcoin community.

The problem we have identified is not limited to MtGox, and affects all transactions where Bitcoins are being sent to a third party.

We believe that the changes required for addressing this issue will be positive over the long term for the whole community. As a result we took the necessary action of suspending bitcoin withdrawals until this technical issue has been resolved.

Bitcoin itself has fallen in price since withdrawing bitcoins was halted. Back on 7th February, the price of one bitcoin was valued at $922 (€676), now it’s fallen to $615 (€451).

MtGox said it will resume bitcoin withdrawals to outside wallets once the issue has been properly resolved.

Read: So what’s the legal status of Bitcoin around the world? >

Read: So what’s the next step for Bitcoin? >

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11 Comments
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    Mute Jeremy Usbourne
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    Feb 10th 2014, 12:43 PM

    Pfffft….. Everyone knows Dogecoin is the future!

    40
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    Mute Kevin Carroll
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    Feb 10th 2014, 12:46 PM

    good time to buy some cheap tho.

    17
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    Mute Gggordon
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    Feb 10th 2014, 12:46 PM

    Virtual Money ….. sure what could go wrong !!! ….. we should all be filling our boots with this virtual stuff …

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    Mute DigitalA
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    Feb 10th 2014, 1:08 PM

    Your money is already virtual

    108
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    Mute Ryan Freeman
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    Feb 10th 2014, 1:10 PM

    I’ll give you two theoretical dollars for your hat

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    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony
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    Feb 10th 2014, 4:18 PM

    @ DigitalA

    As it was during the boom.

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    Mute Peter Pantsless
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    Feb 10th 2014, 1:10 PM

    Surprise surprise, still have that magic dust if anyones interested

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    Mute Paddy O'Reilly
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    Feb 10th 2014, 8:10 PM

    Shock, horror! De facto central bank of a currency stops processing transactions, value of currency drops.
    Unlike “real” money, where “adjustments” are made to “stabilise” the value.

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    Mute The Hooded Biscuit
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    Feb 11th 2014, 1:33 AM

    Jesus when will people cop on, bitcoin is fantasy, anyone who invests real money in it is insane.

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    Mute Feakle Mattiere
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    Feb 10th 2014, 4:24 PM

    Anyone want to buy a bridge?

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    Mute Malachi Shanks
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    Feb 11th 2014, 4:05 AM

    Magic beans for sale , will trade for a cow

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