Using data from a prominent blockchain research firm, Coinmetrics.io, we explore the relationship between prices, computing power (measured by the hashrate), and network (measured by the number of unique active users). We focus on five major mineable cryptocurrencies (i.e. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Litecoin, and Dash). In some of our test, we expand our data to include an additional 33 cryptocurrencies. Our sample period spans from 7 August 2015 to 25 January 2019.
Ethereum’s previous all time high of $4,379.11 was reached in May’s cryptocurrency boom, but the cryptocurrency is now trading at roughly $4,832 (£3,562.31) as of 2.43pm on Tuesday afternoon.

But, why do individuals mine cryptocurrency? The most obvious answer is that some people seek a second source of income and others want more financial freedom without the interference of governments or banks. For instance, crypto miners verify the legitimacy of transactions in exchange for Bitcoin as a reward for their efforts.
However, exchange pricing can still be extremely volatile. For example, Bitcoin’s U.S. dollar exchange rate fell by more than 50% in the wake of Mt. Gox’s collapse, then increased roughly tenfold during 2017 as cryptocurrency demand exploded.