In light of the news that the ex-CEO of Mt. Gox is planning to open a new Crypto platform, Here are some signs that you need to be careful about when looking into a platform to invest in.
Lack of Transparency: If a company isn't open about its operations, team, or financials, it's a red flag. That was one of the most glaring signs no one should have invested in Mt. Gox. Initially, there was a lack of transparency about security issues and financial health, which eventually led to its collapse after losing 850,000 Bitcoins. Another case is OneCoin. It was promoted as a cryptocurrency by a team with questionable credentials, later revealed to be a global pyramid scheme.
Unrealistic Promises: Platforms promising high returns with little to no risk often engage in fraudulent activities. BitConnect promised returns through a lending program that was essentially a Ponzi scheme, where returns for older investors were paid by new investments until it collapsed.
Security Issues and Hacks: Frequent security breaches or hacks can indicate poor security measures. Coincheck suffered a hack in 2018 where approximately $530 million in NEM was stolen due to poor security practices.
Regulatory Non-Compliance: Lack of effort to comply with regulations or operating without necessary licenses. Binance has faced various regulatory warnings and actions across different countries for operating without the necessary approvals or compliance with local laws.
Negative User Feedback and Poor Customer Service: Consistent complaints about withdrawal issues, hidden fees, or lack of customer support.
Pump and Dump Schemes: Platforms or associated projects that artificially inflate the price of a token only to sell off their holdings. Centra Tech promoted by celebrities like Floyd Mayweather, was charged by the SEC for fraud after conducting an ICO that involved a pump and dump scheme.
Unclear or Overly Complex Fee Structure: Hidden or complex fees can drain user funds unexpectedly.
Insider Trading or Market Manipulation: Evidence or strong suspicion of the platform’s team engaging in market manipulation. There have been allegations and investigations into various platforms for insider trading, though concrete legal outcomes are rare. However, the broader crypto market has seen numerous instances where insider knowledge might have been used for profit, like the Coinbase listing announcements leading to accusations of insider trading.
Remember, while these signs can suggest a platform might not be trustworthy, they are not definitive proof. Always do thorough research, consider multiple sources of information, and perhaps most importantly, never invest more than you can afford to lose in the volatile crypto market.
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