Today news broke out from China in regards to China’s PBOC Inquiries into China’s BTCC, OKcoin, and Huobi Exchanges and urging these to "operate strictly in accordance of laws and regulations of China. We have urged [the exchanges] to conduct self-examination based on related laws and correct, if any possible irregularities".
It is obvious that these exchanges were all aware of this announcement by PBOC several days before the public did while the megabull or bull-run was ongoing and close to the ATH (as the fractal was spot on). Of course insiders trading on these exchanges are targeted by the release and aware of that news, hence they orchestrated the brutal sell off of Bitcoin from $1165 down to $860 USD (and on top of margin calls galore)
Today's news put an end at the megabull cycle and instead Bitcoin will start moving in a different way with a sign of little maturity during bullruns. I mean that megabull 2012, 2013 could become a thing of the past. That said, Bitcoin is still in a set of several ascending triangles (as long as they hold) and seeing newer ATH is still possible before end of 2017 of course after a long consolidation.
On that note, I believe all exchanges must be regulated (exchanges and not Bitcoin itself), and PBOC calling these exchanges to regulate themselves is simply not going to happen. You need a body to oversee and audit them unfortunately.
Finally, I will let the market consolidate and publish a chart with a bullish long term view as the short term might be turning bearish to potentially long consolidations. Any visit under $750 might start a new bear cycle unfortunately and under $680-660 a confirmed bear cycle begins.
PBOC Translatation of the Announcement:
The recent Bitcoin Price is highly volatile. To prevent risks and uphold financial stability, PBOC Shanghai and Financial Office of Shanghai have jointly met the major heads of BTCC to know the current status of Bitcoin trading. We have reminded BTCC the possible risks and require it operate strictly in accordance of laws and regulations of China. We have urged BTCC to conduct self-examination based on related laws and correct, if any, possible irregularities.
In accordance of Joint Notice if Bitcoin risk prevention by people’s bank of China, Ministry of Industry and information, China Securities Regulatory Commission China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Insurance Regulatory Commission, Bitcoin is a specific virtual goods. It is not law-based and compulsory like currency thus does not have the legal status as a currency. It shall not, should not be circulated as a currency in the market. Individuals and agencies should properly treat virtual goods and virtual currency. They should invest with rationale, bear the possible risks by their own, uphold their own assets and have a correct understanding and concept of currency.