Bitcoin funds withheld

TRADERS say they are unable to get money out of one of the world’s largest online bitcoin exchanges.

the Bittrex platform handles £750m of bitcoin transactions a day and is profiting from speculators hoping to make a fortune as the currency hits $13,000.

But customers claim they have faced delays of a month when trying to withdraw funds, leaving them vulnerable to price swings that may wipe out profits.

the problems appear to stem from delays in identity checks for customers trying to take out cash.

Bittrex said only a few customers were affected and it had added more staff to sort out the delays.