*By Jacqueline Corba*
Bitcoin dropped back below $8,000 this week, prompting the cryptocurrency's defenders to explain the seemingly rapid fluctuations (prices fell about $500 on Tuesday).
"Probably the biggest thing driving Bitcoin's price where it is today is in fact the 'Bitcoin fork,'" a technical change in the currency's transaction protocol, said Brock Pierce, the Bitcoin Foundation's chairman. "There's uncertainty on what is Bitcoin?"
The most recent sell-off comes after Bitcoin hit an eight-week high on July 24.
"There was a nice moment there where it felt like we were going from this kind of bear, stagnant market back into a bull state," Pierce said in an interview Thursday on Cheddar's Crypto Craze. "But obviously that was a little premature."
Pierce, who started investing in Bitcoin in 2011, said he remains "incredibly bullish" on the digital currency, calling it "Gold 2.0."
For more on this story, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/crypto-pioneer-brock-pierce-shares-outlook-on-bitcoin).
Tesla reported a surprise increase in sales in the third quarter as the electric car maker likely benefited from a rush by consumers to take advantage of a $7,500 credit before it expired on Sept. 30. The company reported Thursday that sales in the three months through September rose 7% compared to the same period a year ago. The gain follows two quarters of steep declines as people turned off by CEO Elon Musk’s foray into right-wing politics avoided buying his company’s cars and even protested at some dealerships. Sales rose to 497,099 vehicles, compared with 462,890 in the same period last year.
Tom’s Guide Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer breaks down Apple & Amazon's latest product drops—what's hot, what's hype, and what really matters for users.
InnerPlant CEO Shely Aronov reveals how engineered crops like soybeans and corn emit signals when stressed—offering farmers early warnings to boost yields.
Payoneer CEO John Caplan discusses the implications of $100K H1B visa requirements—and how they could reshape tech talent, hiring, and U.S. competitiveness.
Electronic Arts, the video game maker of “Madden NFL,” “The Sims,” and other popular titles, is being acquired and taken private for about $52.5 billion in what could become the largest-ever buyout funded by private-equity firms.
