3 key charts about Crypto in 2021

Cryptocurrencies were peerless conduits of greed and fear in 2021, alternately minting and wiping out fortunes as they swung wildly while adding some $1.5 trillion in overall market value along the way.

Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, began the year with a 70% share of the market. That has fallen to less than 40%, in part as Ether's popularity increased.

The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index's more than 160% climb this year far outstrips the jump in more conventional assets like commodities and global stocks, up 23% and 13% respectively. Of course, given the huge swings in crypto, the old adage of no pain, no gain also applies.