Bitcoin extended its slide back toward the $60,000 level. The decline is driven by mounting concerns over the unraveling of Strategy Inc.'s funding mechanism, alongside rate-hike fears that are dampening demand for riskier assets. The largest cryptocurrency had dropped below that threshold two weeks ago for the first time since late 2024. The token — down as much as 3.4% to $62,184 on Thursday — has lost around 50% of its value since reaching a record high in October of that year. Traders have been fixated on the price of Strategy's Stretch, or STRC, preferred shares that the biggest corporate buyer of Bitcoin has ... (full story)