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[-] treadful@lemmy.zip 79 points 2 weeks ago

What crackdown? The SEC has only charged actual scammers and they've "requested information" from the legitimate players to figure out how to proceed. Other than some bad calls by sanctioning software, there's hardly been anything considered a "crackdown."

[-] Telorand@reddthat.com 29 points 2 weeks ago

But that's not as exciting as promising to end something that's barely happening in the first place.

People elected Trump to be entertaining, not for sensible governance.

[-] Cheems@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago

That means, in Republican speak, that they will allow anyone to scam anyone without repercussion.

[-] immutable@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Republicans love a good scam

Next up is the dismantling of the ACA. They will roll out these amazingly cheap alternatives. Health insurance for $10 a month!

So the poor and the stupid will sign up. They’ll go to the bar and saunter up to a “libtard” and tell them that trump fixed everything.

Then when they get sick and try to use MAGA super plan plus premium they won’t be able to find a doctor. The $10/month plan only covers an annual trip to a CVS minute clinic. They’ll go on Facebook and write up how the goddamn liberals tricked him. Other faithful republicans will pray for them and tell them that it must be a glitch because trump made things better.

The con will win because it’ll only hurt those without power.

[-] Raiderkev@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago

Exactly. He intends to let scammers scam.

[-] xodoh74984@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

I don't know why this is being taken at face value with so many upvotes. The Gensler SEC was right to go after actual scammers and ponzis, but they went much further and clearly had an agenda.

Gensler targeted the most reputable exchange in the US alleging that their core business is illegal, because the Gensler SEC decided to classify crypto assets as securities rather than define a new regulatory framework that actually fits.

https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023-102

Coinbase wanted to follow the rules and spent years asking for clarity. Rather than provide clear rules, the SEC provided a lawsuit.

[-] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago

There wasn't a need to "define a new regulatory framework that actually fits" because, funnily enough, the existing regulatory framework already fits. It turns out, inventing new words doesn't actually change the fundamental nature of the thing you're describing. Refusing to call something an "investment" doesn't change the fact that you're selling an investment, refusing to call something a "security" doesn't prevent it from being a security if it meets the definition.

[-] Num10ck@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

wouldn't a security/investment require a fundamental book value?

[-] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

No

An investment contract exists if there is an "investment of money in a common enterprise with a reasonable expectation of profits to be derived from the efforts of others."

And just to be absolutely clear, many cryptocurrencies do not qualify as investments, and the government agrees. However there are numerous other regulations that the crypto industry apparently cannot handle, such as "Know Your Client" laws, which all financial institutions have to abide by, and which exist to prevent money laundering (Binance's internal emails revealed that they knew perfectly well that their clients were using their service to facilitate crime, and they were perfectly happy with that).

These are not bad faith regulations. They exist for good reasons, and there is absolute no good reason why the crypto industry shouldn't also be subject to them. If these are currencies they should be regulated like currencies. If they are investments they should be regulated like investments.

[-] treadful@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 weeks ago

That's fair, but hardly so aggressive that I'd call it a "crypto crackdown."

But it's hardly unexpected to see lawsuits around unsettled law. Everyone should expect more as we start settling case law and bringing crypto inline with existing law.

Also, wasn't it mostly centered around their non-exchange activities? Press release specifically mentions their "Staking-as-a-Service" offering. Not that I see anything wrong with it, but I could see how that could be considered a security. Doesn't really pass the Howey test.

[-] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 61 points 2 weeks ago

Coiners: "We want to be taken seriously and treated as legitimate businesses!"

Biden Government: "OK. We'll treat you as legitimate businesses in your respective fields and expect you to comply with the same regulations everyone else has to."

Coiners: "Oh shit wait no this sucks, our whole business model only works because of crime, quick everyone vote for a fascist conman!"

[-] nondescripthandle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Every time the price spikes I get the feeling its large holders cashing out while they can and the liquid from newcomers is available. Which would make it mostly a scam, kinda like the stock market but even more shallow somehow, as if the stock market wasn't unrelated enough to actual production and very esoteric.

[-] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 15 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

. That approval made it easier to fund bitcoin investment projects, but despite the seeming endorsement, Gensler warned at the time that the SEC still viewed bitcoin as a "volatile asset" linked to "illicit activity" like ransomware, money laundering, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing.

Anybody who is not using Monero for these kinds of activities is doing it wrong. Just remember folks, every transaction on Bitcoin and similar chains is an upskirt transaction.

[-] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Isn't USD also linked to many of those? Gangs launder physical cash through businesses, ransomware can ask for credit cards or bank accounts, terrorists may take USD as it can be spent nearly anywhere.

[-] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 weeks ago

Oh yes, these kinds of organizations love cash because it's a bearer asset.

[-] MyOpinion@lemm.ee 12 points 2 weeks ago

It is literally going to be a feeding frenzy on idiots.

[-] bamboo@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 weeks ago

Obligatory Line Goes Up video, although not exclusively about Bitcoin.

I do admit that early in Bitcoin's life, around 2013, i was a interested in Bitcoin as an alternative to banking, but the volatility and speculation alienated me from the community. Anyone buying BTC now for $90k, you need to realize this turned into a pyramid scheme and you're not at the top of it. You may be able to find someone who's more of a sucker to take the Bitcoin off your hand and make a profit, but it's not sustainable, someone has to loose. Any gains you make are probably less than 10% what the person made by selling it to you.

If you do end up speculating on crypto, don't invest more than you can afford to loose, and assume you'll loose it all. It's very likely you'll either get hacked/scammed, loose your wallet, leave your wallet in an online exchange who runs off with your keys, etc. You're on your own if that happens. If you do end up making any profit, it'll be a blessing and you'll be way happier than if you thought this would be your key to get rich, and you end up loosing it all.

[-] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 1 points 2 weeks ago

To be fair, the idea of "alternative to banking" is still very much alive. BTC and LTC are very much used as currencies, even though BTC has fees too high for small transactions. Monero was developed specifically with utility rather than investment in mind - now reading about how exactly anonymity is enforced there (especially after the Chainalysis leaks), it's pretty interesting. I kinda hope we invent something better than blockchain-based currencies that is equivalent in uncensorability, but right now it's the closest we got.

[-] LibreHans@lemmy.world -1 points 2 weeks ago

The system where everybody loses is fiat money, because the money always loses value. Bitcoin is the opposite.

[-] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Yes, the line keeps going up. I don't understand why people think this is some kind of own. That longass video just gets funnier and more irrelevant as it gets older.

And the picture is about NFTs... At worst they're like collector plates. Just another grift. Who cares? People buying jpegs of monkeys is not a real problem for me.

[-] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I highly doubt that "ending crypto crackdown" would mean guaranteeing safety for projects like Samourai or Localmonero. Or ending the relationship with Chainalysis.

[-] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago

not surprised since crooks love corrupt officials

[-] MyOpinion@lemm.ee 0 points 2 weeks ago

Shitcoin and the Orange turd both need to be flushed but they keep sticking to the rim.

[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world -4 points 2 weeks ago

Idiots. Short it and make money.

[-] Num10ck@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

the market can remain irrational far longer than you can remain solvent.

the world is full of bubbles right now but the wisest move is to hoard cash while the trumpets are playing and buy everything after the dust settles. like warren buffet isnt trying to time the crash, its long overdue.

[-] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

Yep, I suspect at least some people to get hurt in the very near future, because a decently reliable gauge of FOMO is where is the Coinbase app in the App Store rankings, and it is increasing quite quickly. Back in 2022, before everything imploded, it hit number one on the App Store for a while. And it's headed right back that direction from what was like 400th place. I use Monero because it's actually being used as money and so has a bit more inelastic demand.

this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2024
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