Bitcoin (virtual currency) coins placed on Dollar banknotes, next to computer keyboard, are seen in this illustration picture, November 6, 2017. — Reuters pic

LONDON, Feb 6 — Bitcoin slid another 13 per cent to below US$6,000 today, bringing the world’s best-known cryptocurrency’s losses to more than half since the start of 2018.

Bitcoin has fallen heavily in recent sessions as worries about a regulatory clampdown on the nascent market and panicked investors push prices lower. The virtual currency hit a peak of almost US$20,000 in December.

On the Luxembourg-based bitstamp exchange, bitcoin fell to as low as US$5,920, its lowest level since mid-November, before recovering slightly. Other cryptocurrencies have also dropped sharply in value this week. — Reuters