Hi,
Bittrex is the top exchange for STEEM and SDB so processes a lot of incoming and outgoing transactions.
To clarify this claim from your article:
"I have heard some of it has to do with currencies being up and down a lot -- creating too much volatility for pricing so an exchange simply takes it offline"
Wallet maintenance of STEEM is NOT related to price or the actual market activity.
The STEEM wallet is one of the largest and CPU/RAM intensive with 1 to 3 second block time. It often hangs and crashes under heavy load and requires a restart and reindex which can take multiple hours to complete.
Thanks,
Julian (c/o Bittrex)
RE: State of the STEEM: Bittrex has put your Steem / SBD wallets offline again! If you are trading, Be Aware! Check exchanges always before a Transfer!