Bitcoin slumps 6% as new Covid-19 strain upsets wider markets

LONDON : Bitcoin dropped as much as 6% on Monday, with fears over a fast-spreading new coronavirus strain in Britain hitting assets across wider markets.

The cryptocurrency was last down 5.5% at $22,156 after hitting a record $24,298.04 on Sunday.

European shares fell 3%, the dollar strengthened and market volatility surged amid growing unease over the economic impact of the new strain of the virus, which has seen several European countries shut their borders to the UK.