Bitcoin prices took an 11% 🌃dive Wednesday after Google announced it will ban cryptocurrency advertising on its platform. The ban takes effect in June.

The price of one bitcoin token (BTC) was about $8,137 as of this writing, down 11% from 24 hours earlier. The origi🎀nal virtual currency hit an intraday low of $7,955, according to CoinDe🅷sk.

The Google crypto ban follows a similar ba🦩n by Facebook three months ago. Google announced the news on its website. Scott Spencer, Google's director of sꦐustainable ads, defended the decision by :

"We don't have a crystal ball to know where the future is going to go with cryptocurrencies, but we've seen enough consumer harm or potential for consumer harm that it's an area that we want to approach with extreme caution."

Bitcoin prices tanked 12% in late January after Facebook announced a cryptocurrency ban, citing the need to weed out ads from financial products that are "frequently associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices." (See more: Facebook Bans Ads for Cryptocurrencies and ICOs.)

(Source: WorldCoinIndex)

As bitcoin goes, so🧜 do its sister cryptocurrencies. The prices for nine of the top 10 highest-valued digital currencies by market cap all dropped dramatically during the 🍌past 24 hours. 

Etheﷺreum, Ripple, Tron, Bitcoin Cash, Tron and NEO all plummeted m𒆙ore than 10% today.

(Source: WorldCoinIndex)

Industry experts say the Google and Facebook ad bans&nbs🐎p;may not be all bad news for the crypto market. "It's a good thing for the industry," Brian Kelly, CEO of BKCM digital asset fund, . "Facebook and Google ads were always a red flag for me. It's not having any impact on price."

Instead, Kelly believes crypto prices are falling due to general global regulatory fears. (See also: China To Crack Down On International Cryptocurrency Tr💧ading.)

"Selling is driven by fear of another China ban, supposedly coming in next 24 hours," he said. "My view is it will be a 'nothing burger' since China has been banning bitcoin since 2013."

Hackers Go Phishing

Another recurring problem in the digital currency ecosystem are hack🔴s𒅌.

Top bitcoin exchange B🤡inance was targeted in a massive, well-orchestrated hacking attempt just last week. While the heist was ultimately foiled, Binance is not taking the attack sitting down.

The exchang✤e is willing to pay $10 million in bounties to tipsters who help them nab would-be cyberthieves. 

"We can’t simply play defense," Binance told customers. "We need to actively prevent any instances of hacking before they occur." (See more: Binance O𝔉ffers $10 Million ꧒Bounty For Arrest of Crypto Hackers.)

Investing in cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings ("ICOs") is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or ICOs. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein. As of the date this article was written, the author owns no cryptocurrencies.