Bitcoin falls heavily as Israel strikes Iran, slides below $60,000

Cryptocurrencies fell heavily and bitcoin broke below $60,000 on Friday in a rush out of risky assets following reports of an Israeli missile strike on Iran.

Bitcoin slid more than 5.5 per cent to $59,961 in the Asia session as the US dollar rose broadly. Ether fell by a similar margin, dropping below the $3,000 barrier to $2,895.

Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil on Friday, sources said, days after Iran launched a drone strike on Israel.