A Bitcoin model sits on the floor of the Bithumb Lounge Gangnam main branch in Gangnam and Seocho districts as a coin price chart reflects on the floor. /Courtesy of News1

With a U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut expected within the year, gold is hitting an all-time high while the virtual asset market is collectively extending its decline.

At 8:10 a.m. on the 23rd, on global virtual asset quote site CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $112,730, down 2.18% from 24 hours earlier. Ethereum, the No. 2 by market cap, fell even more. Ethereum, which plunged 5.5% from the previous day, was at $4,205.

Other altcoins have also been extending losses for several days. Ripple, which had held the No. 3 spot by market cap, fell 4.42% from the previous day, surrendering the No. 3 position and trading at $2.84. Solana fell 6.89% from the previous day to $220.08.

The decline that has persisted for several days is interpreted as funds flowing out of the virtual asset market into the gold market. In fact, unlike the plunging virtual asset market, gold prices are hitting record highs. Based on the Korea Gold Exchange the previous day, the spot price for pure gold (3.75 g standard) was 726,000 won to buy and 638,000 won to sell.

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