Opaque Spot Market. Cryptocurrency balances are generally maintained as an address on the blockchain and are accessed through Private Keys (defined below), which may be held by a market participant or a custodian. Although cryptocurrency transactions can be publicly available on a blockchain or distributed ledger, the public address does not identify the controller, owner or holder of the Private Key. Unlike bank and Business Accounts, cryptocurrency exchanges and custodians that hold cryptocurrencies do not always identify the owner. The opaque underlying or spot market poses asset verification challenges for market participants, regulators and auditors and gives rise to an increased risk of manipulation and fraud, including the potential for Ponzi schemes, bucket shops and pump and dump schemes, which may undermine market confidence in a cryptocurrency and negatively impact its price. These unique risks mean that transactions in cryptocurrencies may be irreversible, and, accordingly, losses due to fraudulent or accidental transactions may not be recoverable.
Opaque Spot Market. Cryptocurrency balances are generally maintained as an address on the blockchain and are accessed through private keys, which may be held by a market participant or a custodian. Although cryptocurrency transactions are typically publicly available on a blockchain or distributed ledger, the public address does not identify the controller, owner or holder of the private key. Unlike bank and brokerage accounts, cryptocurrency exchanges and custodians that hold cryptocurrencies do not always identify the owner. The opaque underlying or spot market poses asset verification challenges for market participants, regulators and auditors and gives rise to an increased risk of manipulation and fraud, including the potential for Ponzi schemes, bucket shops and pump and dump schemes, which may undermine market confidence in a cryptocurrency and negatively impact its price.
