Musk tweet dents bitcoin, but weekly gain in prospect

Bitcoinslipped more than 3 per cent on Friday after Tesla boss ElonMuskfired off atweethinting at a breakup with the cryptocurrency, though it remains on course for its bestweeklygainin about a month as it tries to recover from May's crash.

Bitcoinwas last down about 3.6 per cent at $37,809.Musktweeted "#Bitcoin" and a heartbreak emoji above a meme appearing to show a couple discussing their breakup.Bitcoinis up 6.3 per cent this week.

Muskhas been a major promoter of cryptocurrencies but has turned critical ofbitcoinsince suspending Tesla plans to take it in payment for cars owing to concerns about its energy use.