Cryptocurrencies tumble as coronavirus variant shakes markets

Bitcoin tumbled over 9 per cent on Friday, dragging smaller tokens down, after the discovery of a new, potentially vaccine-resistant coronavirus variant saw investors dump riskier assets for the perceived safety of bonds, the yen and the dollar.

Bitcoin, the largest digital currency, fell as much as 9.2 per cent to $53,551, its lowest since Oct. 10. The second largest cryptocurrency ether fell over 13 per cent to its lowest in a month as investors ditched cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin...