Crypto

Addressing patterns of cryptocurrency fraud – Digital Journal

Published

12 months ago

July 16, 2023

Addressing patterns of cryptocurrency fraud – Digital Journal

The price of bitcoin hit record highs in 2021, but it slid below $40,000 in January 2022 – Copyright AFP Federico PARRA

Over the last few years, public interest in cryptocurrency has grown. There are an estimated 420 million Internet users who hold some cryptocurrency, based all around the world. Asia constitutes the vast majority of crypto owners, with an estimated 260 million people holding some currency. However, ownership of cryptocurrency is a worldwide phenomenon, with many millions of owners across all continents. This is despite fluctuations in value and with many currencies not being recognised by established banks or governments.

As crypto has continued to grow in stature, however, there’s been an increase in the number of scam artists. The commercial and asset finance company, Anglo Scottish Asset Finance, has provided Digital Journal with some of the most common cryptocurrency scams.

Fraudulent Coins / Tokens

Some forms of crypto scams involve scammers posing as established companies and offering fraudulent coins or tokens. As growing numbers of companies enter the crypto space, scammers send out emails posing as a respected company and stating that they’re entering the crypto world with their own form of coins or tokens.

There have been cases of scammers creating social media websites, adverts and even entire websites to back up their fraudulent activity. Once you get your hands on one of these ‘tokens,’ the scammer can gain access to your wallet and drain your balance.

Always be sure to do your own research – if an established company has issued their own coin, you’ll be able to corroborate this information on news sites.

Pump and Dump Schemes

Sometimes, scammers will work in collaboration to build hype around a certain new coin – they might use email marketing or social media to promote the currency. Traders are drawn to invest in droves thanks to the excitement that’s been built up.

Once the new investors have driven the value of the currency up, the scammers quickly sell theirs, maximising the value of their sale and leaving value of the currency to plummet. The new investors are quickly left with nothing of value.

Phishing

Another common crypto scam is phishing, where crypto scammers target the private keys you use to access your wallet. Scammers will pose as a trusted partner or offer an investment opportunity before directing you to a website which instructs you to input your private key information.

Once they have access to your wallet, they’ll drain your balance. Never give out your private key unless you’re completely confident of who you’re giving it to and why.

Impersonating

Some scammers will pose as somebody you meet online – it could be a dating website or something platonic like a social media site. Often these people are prepared to play ‘the long game’ and gain your trust over weeks or even months of communicating.

Then, they’ll start to ask for money, or will present you with an investment opportunity out of the blue. As soon as you’ve sent the money, they’ll disappear.

There are some common elements which tend to appear across various scams, making them easier to spot. Here are some of the most common hallmarks of crypto scams.

Big promises

Typically, scammers make extortionate promises designed to entice people in – offering guaranteed profits or return on investment. Because cryptocurrencies’ value fluctuates, profit can never be guaranteed.

Scammers might use the offer of free money or talk about fake ‘case studies’ where people have made millions. Whilst crypto investments have the potential to earn you big money, there’s no certainty involved.

Watch the whitepapers

When a company issues a new coin, the initial coin offering will always be accompanied by a lengthy whitepaper. The piece will explain the rationale behind the coin issuing, how the currency has been designed, and how it will work.

The whitepaper is one of the most crucial aspects of the initial coin offering, and is a reliable resource which is difficult for scammers to replicate. If somebody is offering you the opportunity to invest in the new coin, pay close attention to the whitepaper – spelling errors or a general lack of professionalism could expose the scam.

Cold calling

Some scammers will contact you directly out of the blue with investment opportunities or false promises. In this event, be extra vigilant to ensure the safety of your money. These people may fabricate a time-sensitive event to try and push you to make a rash decision – they may quote a short investment window to put pressure on you.

This isn’t to say the value of cryptocurrencies don’t change quickly. In fact, making a well-timed investment or selling up at the exact right moment could ensure you maximise your profits. However, if you’re unsure about the validity of what you’re being told, then take the time to do your own research before actioning anything.

Crypto

GTA VI may use cryptocurrency as payment methods, here’s what you should know

Published

5 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

GTA VI may use cryptocurrency as payment methods, here’s what you should know

Many have grown up over the years playing Grand Theft Auto games, be it GTA Vice City, GTA Liberty City, GTA San Andreas and many more. In fact Rockstar Games has earned billions over the decade from its continually releasing GTA games and the next one it seems, is on the cards for a 2025 release. Yes, this is the time for Grand Theft Auto fans to be extremely happy as GTA VI may drop in sometime around 2025.

No official statement by Rockstar Games around cryptocurrency use yet

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Rockstar Games may allow the use of cryptocurrencies for in-game purchases in GTA VI. This has been revealed through a leak that along with card and banking options, a few select cryptocurrencies would also be allowed as a payment method in the game. However, there is no official confirmation by the makers, Rockstar Games, around this latest rumor.

Also Read: Destroying the White House; one among the many activities in this North Korean summer camp

Will cryptocurrencies be a payment option in GTA VI?

In case GTA VI does allow cryptocurrency transaction for it sin-game purchases, the most common cryptos it will support may include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and a few others. However, there is also an alternative theory to this, with some reports suggesting that players will get awarded with an in-game cryptocurrency called $RSTAR, when they successfully complete missions. Rumor has it that these currency can be used for purchasing various in-game utilities, as well as trade it with players in your circles. However, yet again, Rockstar Games is entirely mum around these new rumored features of GTA VI.

Is using cryptocurrency in GTA VI safe?

Using an in-game cryptocurrency, may not be a very unsafe option, provided that the players do not get defrauded through various scammers who have nowadays, started hunting for victims in games as well.

FAQs:

Has GTA VI been released?
No, GTA VI has not been released yet but it may be out by the year 2025, according to reports. The last GTA game available is GTA V.

Is GTA V playable on Sony PS5?
Yes, Sony PlayStation 5 indeed supports Grand Theft Auto V, the last released game in this franchise. PS5 also supports its previous version, GTA IV too.

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Crypto

Visa and Tangem Unveil Combined Payment Card-Crypto Wallet

Published

11 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

Visa and Tangem Unveil Combined Payment Card-Crypto Wallet

Switzerland-based cryptocurrency wallet maker Tangem AG has launched a payments partnership with Visa.

The collaboration, announced Friday (July 5), has resulted in a Visa payments card combined with a hardware wallet that lets Tangem users make payments using their crypto or stablecoin balances at merchants that accept Visa.

“We are delighted that Visa has chosen to partner with Tangem, one of the most reliable and secure solutions for personal cryptocurrency storage,” Andrey Kurennykh, co-founder and CEO of Tangem, said in a news release.

“Our users will get a two-in-one solution — the convenience of a regular bank card and the capabilities of a self-custodial crypto wallet, all in one card.”

Kurennykh added that the partnership will go a long way toward “bridging the gap between traditional banking and digital assets, making it easier for everyday users to navigate and leverage the benefits of both worlds.”

According to the release, the new solution differs from traditional custodial solutions, which rely on third-party entities to handle user funds. In this case, Tangem’s card embeds a private key within the chip and requires the physical card’s use for every transaction, making sure users are always in control of their assets.

The partnership is happening a moment when, as PYMNTS wrote earlier this week, the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector finds itself at a crucial juncture.

“It is the same critical juncture, or at least one strikingly similar, that the crypto and digital asset sector has always found itself at — a juncture where regulatory developments, interoperability and scalability, and institutional acceptance are at the forefront,” that report said.

The reason? Regulations, usability and acceptance are the three themes and trends observers believe will mold the future of Web3, a future that’s more than a decade in the works.

While the adoption of crypto as a mainstream payment mechanism has yet to displace more traditional methods in spite of the rise of digital transactions, crypto has still seen some success as a financial asset, that report argued.

One of the most pressing issues facing the space is a need for clear regulation to protect consumers, prevent fraud and drive institutional investment.

Taming the “Wild West” that is the crypto landscape remains a challenge, the report noted. This week began with the Securities and Exchange Commission accusing Silvergate Capital, once a favorite partner of the crypto industry, with a range of compliance failures.

Crypto

UAE's cryptocurrency sector projected to expand by 7.89 percent annually, reaching $395.80 million by 2028

Published

17 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

UAE's cryptocurrency sector projected to expand by 7.89 percent annually, reaching $395.80 million by 2028

Data showed that the average daily number of crypto traders in the region exceeded 500,000 in February

The revenue in the UAE’s crypto sector is expected to grow by 7.89 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $395.80 million by 2028, up from $292.10 million in 2024, according to fintech company Bitpanda.

Bitpanda, a Europe-based prominent crypto platform and infrastructure provider, recently entered the UAE to boost regional expansion, according to a statement. Walid BenOthman, managing director of Bitpanda, oversees the company’s operations in the UAE and the wider region, highlighting the factors contributing to the country’s surge in cryptocurrency adoption.

UAE’s diversification efforts and crypto integration

BenOthman indicated that the UAE’s long-standing goal to diversify away from oil has been reinforced by various mandates across several industries to ensure Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of future-proofing the nation is realized. He added that crypto has increasingly become a part of this journey, with the UAE recognizing the enormous potential it holds not only regionally but also globally.

The Managing Director highlighted that by initiating strategies to integrate crypto as a mainstay within its borders, the country is ushering in a new era to become a leading crypto hub worldwide.

Read more: Crypto firm Ripple to launch U.S. dollar stablecoin, targeting $150 billion market

UAE crypto

Crypto adoption in the Middle East

While crypto adoption in the Middle East currently represents a 10 percent rate, recent data indicates this trend will not persist.

Bitget Research underlined that the average daily number of crypto traders in the region exceeded 500,000 in February, reflecting a 51 percent YoY growth from 2023. During this period, the UAE boosted regional growth by leading crypto adoption per capita with a 68 percent YoY leap in daily traders.

After achieving a record-setting revenue of AED400 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, Bitpanda has since reached a new milestone of 5 million total users as of Q2. Moreover, the company, Bitpanda MENA, is now set to anchor the UAE’s diversification efforts by unlocking digital assets for millions of investors.

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