As news emerged suggesting that investors in bitcoin could be stopped from trading, the price of the virtual currency tumbled.

South Korea was just one country whose government threatened such action with Park Sang-ki, the country\'s justice minister, commenting that the government had huge concerns over cryptocurrencies, and, after fears they could make tax evasion easier, had decided to prepare a bill banning the trading of digital currency.

Whilst it remains unclear just how South Korea will do this, many experts have warned that bitcoin is likely to be crushed by officials. Furthermore, even if a total exchange ban doesn\'t take place, South Korea could impose specific regulations such as stopping underage investors and unidentified trading accounts.

Last September, the government in China closed domestic exchanges and is now allegedly looking to shut down all online platforms and services that currently allow people to trade and invest in digital currencies. Furthermore, Germany and France have revealed they are joining forces at the next G20 meeting to request that digital currencies are regulated, in order to reduce risks for traders. Peter Altmaier, German Finance Minister, explained that both countries have a duty of care towards their citizens and must reduce associated risks.

The price of bitcoin may have stabilised, but after the last few week\'s unpredictable results, no one knows what the future holds.