Scams


Opinion

Is Crypto a Ponzi? Define 'Ponzi'

It is better for all if we can speak honestly about this industry.

Ponzi scheme inventor Charles Ponzi mugshot in 1920. (Photo courtesy Bureau of Prisons/Getty Images)

Policy

Chinese Police Arrest 8 People Related to $7.8M Rug Pull

Police in Anhui province froze RMB 6 million in assets related to a rug pull with hundreds of victims.

China's crypto crackdown put digital-asset traders on the defensive. (Creative Commons, modified by CoinDesk)

Policy

Users of Hong Kong Crypto Exchange Coinsuper Say They Cannot Withdraw Funds

Crypto exchange regulation is central to Hong Kong’s regime, which is still under development.

Hong Kong skyline (Ruslan Bardash/Unsplash)

Tech

Crypto Crime Hit All-Time High of $14B in 2021 as Prices Climbed: Chainalysis

The percentage of illicit transactions fell drastically, but the dollar value surged, a new report says.

(Tingey Injury Law Firm/Unsplash)

Opinion

What Crypto Can Learn From Elizabeth Holmes’ Fraud Conviction

There’s a surprisingly clear line between “fake it ‘til you make it” and just plain faking it.

Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, left, departs from federal court after her conviction on fraud charges. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Finance

After Identity Theft, Salvadorans Now Report Funds Disappearing From Chivo Wallets

Dozens of Salvadorans say that money has vanished from their wallets. And some report being approached by scammers when they tried to get help.

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR - SEPTEMBER 14: A man attempts to take cash out from a Chivo ATM at Centro Historico on September 14, 2021 in San Salvador, El Salvador. Bitcoin has been a legal tender in El Salvador since Tuesday when the law that regulates its use in all economic operations came into force, on par with the dollar. (Photo by Camilo Freedman/APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images)

Markets

DeFi ‘Rug Pull’ Scams Pulled In $2.8B This Year: Chainalysis

‘Rug pulls’ accounted for 37% of all scam revenue this year compared to just 1% in 2020.

rug pull

Markets

Indian National Congress Accuses Modi-Led BJP of Covering Up Country’s Biggest Bitcoin Scam

Leaders accuse the prime minister of trying to drop the investigation.

A supporter wearing a ribbon featuring former Indian National Congress (INC) President Sonia Gandhi. (Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Finance

The Trash Moat: When the Media Lies About Crypto

The preponderance of YouTube scams and tabloid reporting on crypto is bad for adoption.

(Allef Vinicius/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Finance

FBI Warns of Scams Using Crypto ATMs and QR Codes

The U.S. law enforcement agency says there has been an increase in scammers directing victims to use physical crypto ATMs and QR codes to complete transactions.

Crypto ATM Installations Increased Over 70% Globally This Year