Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, fell 1.41% within one hour to $2,683 in early Thursday trading after changing hands at $2,721 an hour earlier. The move extends a sharp short-term decline. Earlier reporting had placed ETH at $2,693 at 3:23 a.m. ET on October 1 after trading at $2,717, representing a 0.85% hourly drop.