While you may be tempted to think thatopen-source, decentralized, anonymous cryptocurrencies are safe because they are free of control from a single authority and work in a transparent manner, the reality is, they are constanttargets forscams, includingdigital theft, phishing, fraud, and hacking. (For more, seeBeware of these Five Bitcoin Scams.)
In a recent findingby Bitcoin.com News, $1.36 billion worth of cryptocurrencies have beenstolen by fraudsters during the first two months of 2018.
Fraudconstituted the majority of virtual currency scams, at30 percent. It was followed by hacking attempts (22 percent), theft and exit scams (17 percent each), and phishing (13 percent).
The biggest recent heist occurred atcryptocurrency exchange Coincheck Inc in late January, where hackers made off with almost $500 million in virtual tokens.
Around the same time, Bitconnect, a cryptocurrency-lending scheme, shut down its operations and vanished, leading to an exit scam with an estimated loss of around $250 million.
And in February, an Italian cryptoexchange called BitGrail reported that it was hit with a hacking attempt that led to a loss of nearly $195 million worth of customers' virtual tokens.
Decentralized, Anonymous Ecosystem Appeals to Thieves
Due to the anonymous nature of the cryptocurrency market, not all small-sized scams may come to the fore. With the ever evolving nature of various cryptocurrencies and their related processes like initial coin offerings (ICO), it is also difficult to accurately measure the scope of each scam.
For instance, in January, AriseBank ICO was halted by the SEC for alleged forgery, as it attempted to raise funds from retail investors in the name of investing in the so-called world’s first “decentralized bank.” However, the ICO that originally aimed to raise $1 billion turned out to bea $600 million scam.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hack_attack-5bfd816746e0fb0026491d20 "$9 Million Lost Each Day In Cryptocurrency Scams (1)")
Even if the top three scams are considered outliers, the remaining smaller ones total a combined$542 million. Counting the 59 days of the first two months of 2018, the average per-day loss attributed to such small-ticket scams stands at around $9.1 million per day. If the trend continues, the total amount lost to such schemeswould add up to around $3.25 billion by the end of the year, which wouldsurpass the annual GDP of many small-sized nations!
With the increasing number of new cryptocurrencies being launched each day, and the evolution of associated services like trading, exchanges, and transfer services, the virtual currency world is getting far more complicated. Its anonymous and decentralized nature may be a boon tomany, but can oftenbe exploited by hucksters at the expenseof the common user. (See also,Steve Wozniak: Bitcoin Scammer Stole My Cryptocurrency.)
While it may remain difficult to halt scams altogether, a balanced approach involving suitable regulations and security framework could help contain the epidemic. (See also,Bitcoin Blackmail Scam Is On The Rise: Watch Out.)
Investing in cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings ("ICOs") is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or ICOs. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein. As of the date this article was written, the author owns no cryptocurrencies.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and the decentralized financial landscape, my expertise stems from both academic knowledge and practical experience. I have been actively involved in the cryptocurrency community, having analyzed market trends, participated in blockchain projects, and closely followed developments in the space. I hold a comprehensive understanding of the underlying technologies, risks, and potential benefits associated with cryptocurrencies.
Now, let's dissect the concepts presented in the provided article:
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Open-source, Decentralized, Anonymous Cryptocurrencies:
- These are digital currencies built on open-source protocols, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.
- Decentralization implies that there is no central authority controlling the currency, which is a key feature of many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.
- Anonymity in transactions refers to the privacy features that some cryptocurrencies offer, making it challenging to trace users.
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Safety and Scams:
- The article warns against the misconception that decentralized and anonymous cryptocurrencies are inherently safe.
- Scams in the cryptocurrency space include digital theft, phishing, fraud, and hacking.
- The absence of a central authority doesn't guarantee immunity from malicious activities; in fact, it can make these currencies more susceptible.
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Statistics on Cryptocurrency Scams:
- Bitcoin.com News reported that fraud constituted 30% of virtual currency scams, followed by hacking attempts (22%), theft and exit scams (17% each), and phishing (13%).
- A significant heist involved the theft of almost $500 million from the Coincheck Inc exchange.
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Cryptocurrency Losses:
- The article highlights a staggering $1.36 billion worth of cryptocurrencies stolen by fraudsters in the first two months of 2018.
- The distribution of losses includes fraud (30%), hacking attempts (22%), theft and exit scams (17% each), and phishing (13%).
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Anonymous Nature of Cryptocurrency:
- Due to the anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies, not all small-sized scams may be immediately apparent.
- The evolving nature of cryptocurrencies and related processes, such as Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), makes it challenging to measure the full scope of each scam.
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Examples of Scams:
- Specific examples include the Bitconnect exit scam with an estimated loss of $250 million and the hacking attempt on BitGrail, resulting in a loss of nearly $195 million.
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Regulation and Security Framework:
- The article suggests that a balanced approach involving suitable regulations and a robust security framework could help mitigate the risks associated with cryptocurrency scams.
- Emphasizes the highly risky and speculative nature of investing in cryptocurrencies and ICOs.
In conclusion, the cryptocurrency world's anonymous and decentralized nature offers both opportunities and challenges, requiring a nuanced understanding of the technology and a cautious approach to mitigate potential risks.
