Bitcoin's Twitterati React to Price Decline

As the bitcoin price plummeted today, notable figures from within the bitcoin community took to Twitter to share perspectives on the decline.

AccessTimeIconJan 14, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 6, 2023 at 2:52 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The bitcoin price crashed below $200 on the CoinDesk USD Bitcoin Price Index earlier today, dropping to $179.13 before rebounding.

Unsurprisingly, the price collapse has set off a whirlwind of conversation about the future of the bitcoin network, both within and outside the community.

Regular bitcoiners have been reeling at what the news means for their digital currency holdings, while traders have welcomed the return to volatility and exchange volumes have surged to their highest levels since November 2014.

At press time the price stood at $184.

While the $200 mark is likely a significant mental threshold for many bitcoin investors, the lower price is also notable, as it comes in just under ¥1,000 Chinese yuan – the currency credited with being involved in over half of the total bitcoin trade.

Acknowledging the extreme price movements, prominent figures from within the bitcoin community took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

Community reactions

With prices dropping but difficulty still high, many miners are at crisis point.

Author and advocate Andreas Antonopoulos sent out the following prophetic tweet two days ago.

— AndreasMAntonopoulos (@aantonop) January 12, 2015

New York-based founder of Digital Currency Group and creator of the Bitcoin Investment Trust, Barry Silbert, joined the conversation as the situation unfolded late yesterday.

His tweet, although brief, created a flurry of debate among his followers:

— Barry Silbert (@barrysilbert) January 13, 2015

Silbert's blunt message was followed by one from Roger Ver, a prominent investor in various bitcoin startups, who referenced the Silk Road Trial's possible effect on the price fluctuation.

— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 14, 2015

The Wall Street Journal's tech columnist, Christopher Mims, was quick to link the effect of recent events elsewhere in the financial world and the price decline.

— Christopher Mims (@mims) January 14, 2015

Marc van der Chijs, a big bitcoin believer, seemed to be monitoring the situation closely.

— Marc van der Chijs (@chijs) January 14, 2015

Some even saw the funny side, with Erol Kazan, a technology and digital platform expert, sharing a humorous take on the affairs.

— Erol Kazan (@ErolKazan) January 14, 2015

Charlie Shrem, former BitInstant CEO and Payza consultant, predicted that things are likely to get far worse.

— Charlie Shrem (@CharlieShrem) January 14, 2015

To keep things in perspective, Antonopoulos reflected on the fact that bitcoin will continue to work as a payment system regardless of its price drop.

— AndreasMAntonopoulos (@aantonop) January 14, 2015

Image by Tom Sharkey for CoinDesk

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.