Bitcoin Drops Back to $60,000 Level, Ether Slides More Than 5% as Shaky Month Begins

Rising tensions in the Middle East dampened investors' risk appetite as the new trading month and quarter began.

Cryptocurrencies fell sharply on Tuesday evening, with bitcoin sliding back to the $60,000 level after a shaky start to what is usually one of its strongest months.

Bitcoin was last down nearly 4% at $60,972.62, according to Coin Metrics. At one point around 4:45 p.m. Eastern time, bitcoin slid to as low as $60,175. Ether last traded at $2,449.83, down more than 5%.

Stocks related to virtual currencies also fell in extended trading. Crypto exchange Coinbase dropped about 1% and bitcoin proxy MicroStrategy lost 2%, after closing lower by 7.4% and 3.5%, respectively.

Rising tensions in the Middle East put a damper on investors’ risk appetite as the new trading month and quarter began. On Tuesday, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel in retaliation for its recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and an Iranian commander in Lebanon.

"Surging unrest across the Middle East has propelled oil prices upward and reinforced the dollar's strength, casting a shadow over bitcoin and other speculative investments," said Chris Kline, chief operating officer and co-founder of Bitcoin IRA.

"In stark contrast to September's stronger-than-expected performance for bitcoin, October looms as a potential rollercoaster, influenced by the delayed ripple effects of last spring's halving event and the approach of a divisive American electoral contest," he added. "Meanwhile, a global monetary tug-of-war is unfolding as various central banks slash interest rates and expand their money supplies."

Investors are also keeping an eye on a strike by members of the International Longshoremen's Association on the East and Gulf Coasts that could affect the U.S. economy depending on how long it lasts.

October and November are historically the strongest months of the year for bitcoin. It has finished the month higher in all but two years since 2013, averaging a return of nearly 23%. It has become known to crypto native investors as "Uptober."

Bitcoin has struggled to break its ceiling of $70,000, though the $55,000 threshold has provided strong support for the crypto asset. Some investors are doubtful that October will be the month it finally comes back to life, but most remain optimistic that the cryptocurrency will test new highs in the new quarter.