The Celsius move triggered a slide across cryptocurrencies, with their value dropping below US$1 trillion for the first time since January 2021, sparking worries the rout might spill over into other assets or hit other companies.

He is believed to have received RM12,000 a month to protect bitcoin mining centres in the state.

A couple allegedly sought to launder the proceeds of 119,754 bitcoin – then valued at US$65 million – that were stolen during a 2016 hack of the virtual currency exchange Bitfinex.

The largest cryptocurrency trading down 7.4% at US$33,650, its lowest since July 24, taking losses from its all-time high of US$69,000 hit in November past 50%.

Having more than trebled in value to US$60,000 between December 2020 and April, bitcoin has lost some shine to trade at under US$50,000 heading into the new year.

With assistance from Sony, Citibank and Japanese law enforcement, FBI investigators were able to obtain the private key, equivalent to a password, needed to access the bitcoin address.

This comes after an influential Indonesian ulama body declared the lucrative digital currency trade as haram.

The country's powerful Ulama Council issues a fatwa, or religious edict, as virtual currency trading soars in Indonesia and elsewhere.

Mastercard says its partners can also allow customers earn and spend rewards in cryptocurrency instead of loyalty points.

Bitcoin can be bought and spent using a cyber wallet app called Chivo, while cash can be drawn, in dollars, from some 200 bitcoin ATMs hastily erected countrywide.

UK-based customers will be able to choose from four types of cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash.

China banned trading in cryptocurrencies in 2019 and is increasingly tightening restrictions on bitcoin mining.