The latest cryptocurrency boom is beginning to stall as regulators worldwide turn their attention to the initial coin offerings, which have driven a precipitous rise in the sectors market value reaching a high of $177bn (136bn).
The total value of the hundreds of tracked cryptocurrencies has fallen by more than 18% to $145bn since Fridays high, according to analytics site CoinMarketCap. The collapse seems to have been triggered by a ruling from the Chinese central bank that declared it illegal to raise money through launching new cryptocurrencies.
An initial coin offering (ICO) is a relatively recent innovation for cryptocurrency developers, and involves selling a number of cryptographic tokens to investors at the launch of the project. These tokens can represent almost anything, from another attempt to make a Bitcoin analogue to exclusive access to an app or service. They have been responsible for some big funding rounds: adblocking browser Braveraised $35m for its ICO, while an ICO for service designed to help ICOs raised more than $150m.
ICOs have even become popular enough for celebrities including Floyd Mayweather and Paris Hilton to jump on board. The hotel heiress has actually been involved in the area for more than a year, having met with the COO of prominent blockchain firm Ethereum in 2016.
Since the concept was first mooted, however, there have been concerns over its legality, with experts warning that selling a cryptographic token which entitles the holder to a share of profits in a business could be a violation of financial regulations.
Now, the Peoples Bank of China has confirmed just that. Individuals and organisations that have completed ICO fund raising should make arrangements to return funds, according to a joint statement from the bank, Chinas securities and banking regulators, and several other government departments.
Some experts still think the sector has hope. Zennon Kapron, director of the Shanghai-based financial technology consultancy Kapronasia, said he suspected regulators were putting the brakes on ICOs in order to better understand the phenomenon, but could ease off in the future.
Regulators globally are struggling to understand what ICOs are, what the risks are, and how to ring-fence and regulate them, he said. China, in many ways, is no different than the US or Singapore in saying: OK, we need to push back on these for now until we figure out how to deal with them. I think it will be slightly a temporary measure.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued its own ruling in July. While not as wide-ranging as the Chinese statement, it leaned in the same direction. The agency said: Depending on the facts and circumstances, the offering may involve the offer and sale of securities.
If that is the case, the offer and sale of virtual coins or tokens must itself be registered with the SEC, or be performed pursuant to an exemption from registration.
The SECs statement was prompted by the conclusion of its investigation into the biggest ICO failure to date, a 2016 experiment called the DAO which ended up losing millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrencies due to a bug in its software.
The SECs stance has also had a chilling effect on the creation of new ICOs in the US. At least two planned offerings have been put on hold as a result of the document. One, Harbour, said it was a pre-emptive action based on the projects conclusion that there is just too much uncertainty within our current model to forge ahead without some careful assessment and perhaps revision. Another, Protostarr, was cancelled after its chief executive was investigated by the SEC.
Those in the cryptocurrency sector believe a short period of overregulation will eventually be reversed as the merits of the technology become clear.
The initial coin offering is a new business model leveraging blockchain technology and it will remain, said Oliver Bussman, of the Switzerland-based Crypto Valley Association. This is not the end of the ICO absolutely not.
While some ICOs are unambiguously analogous to stocks and shares, many, such as those which offer resellable access to an application to the holders, are more novel, and may survive regulation unscathed.
View post:
Cryptocurrency boom stalls as regulators focus on ICOs ...
- Bitcoin Center NYC To Support Wednesday's CryptoCurrency Convention By Hosting After-Party [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- As Bitcoin Soars in Value, Alternative Cryptocurrencies ... [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency.org [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- Qoinpro Cryptocurrency Faucet - Video [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- Global Issues Cryptocurrency Project - Video [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- PotCoin @ Cryptocurrency convention NYC, Good Audio - Video [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2014]
- Bryce Weiner @ CryptoCurrency Convention 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2014]
- Unobtanium Cryptocurrency Explained - Video [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2014]
- How To Create Your Own Cryptocurrency Co.Labs code ... [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- CryptoCoinsNews - Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin News with ... [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Joe Rogan and Reddit Co-founder Alexis Ohanian talk Dogecoin, Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- How To Assess A CryptoCurrency: AltCoin Assessment Protocol. What's the next big AltCoin? - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Reggie Middleton's UltraCoin @ NYC CryptoCurrency Convention - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- The future is Nxt (cryptocurrency platform) - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Dan Larimer Bitshares - Video [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Xavier Hawk Permacredits - Video [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2014]
- Does a cryptocurrency have the potential to revolutionize Ukraine? - Video [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2014]
- Marscoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Lennart Lopin - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Vertcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Joe Fisher - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- UltraCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Reggie Middleton - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- iCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Ryan Ridgeway - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Florincoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Joe Fiscella - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- PotCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Nick Iversen - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- ZenithCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Eddie Corral - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Bryce Weiner @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Bitcoin Exchange CryptoRush Loses Millions of BlackCoin Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Brock Pierce, Entrepreneur "FireSide Chat" @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC - 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- [OFFICIAL SPONSOR] Nick Spanos, Bitcoin Center NYC @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- AuroraCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - David Lio - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- DigiByte @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Jared Tate - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Digitalcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Andrew Davidson - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- BitAngels Co-Founder, David Johnson @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- The Future of Cryptocurrency, Investing, and Crowdfunding (Toronto #BitcoinExpo Highlights) #548 - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- How to Set Up a Ripple (CryptoCurrency) Generating System! - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- --- The Great Debate --- Bitcoin vs Altcoin @ The CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Popularcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Joshua Nold - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- TimeKoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Michael Brown - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Infinitecoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Loring Small - Video [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Bitcoin vs. Political Power: The Cryptocurrency Revolution - Stefan Molyneux at TNW Conference - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- TNW - Stefan Molyneux - Money, Power and Politics The Cryptocurrency Revolution - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Coinnext Cryptocurrency Exchange Coming Soon - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- The Mises View: "Taxing Cryptocurrency" | Jeff Deist - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- mTrader.org - Cryptocurrency Mining System - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- CS 171 Final Project: Cryptocurrency Visualizations - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Explained The Tech Guy 1046 - Video [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2014]
- Know How 74 Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency of the World Unite! - Video [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- BBT Presents: Ode to Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Scryptify Cryptocurrency Video - Crypto Currency Exchanges - Video [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Bitpagar Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- How to Mine Cryptocurrency Safely - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Bunnycoin - Innovative New Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Nxt cryptocurrency platform: Proof of Stake mining system - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Violincoin - The first cryptocurrency for musician - - Video [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store (Spanish/Espagnol) - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency: Get Mining! - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- How To Trade CryptoCurrency: Sign up to a safe and reliable exchange for trading CryptoCurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency and Nonprofits with Eric Nakagawa - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store - Video [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2014]
- Bitcoin Song - The Cryptocurrency Store - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- Videoconferencia Cryptocurrency 201243946 - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- VideoCharla Jesus Ramos Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- Sudbury Cryptocurrency Conference, May 26th: Ethereum - Video [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2014]
- 2014 Cubieboard 1, 2 - Mining Peercoins (SHA-256 based) Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2014]
- 2nd Salaries in CryptoCurrency - Video [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2014]
- The Best Cryptocurrency Trading Platform - Video [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency business forum - Video [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Opportunities in Southeast Asia | John KIM - Video [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2014]
- Facebook Approves Cryptocurrency Tipping Apps -- Bitcoin Weekend In San Francisco - Video [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2014]
- Wolf of Wall Street & Cryptocurrency w/ Patrick "PK" McDonnell - Video [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2014]
- BankNote CryptoCurrency Review - Video [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency 4 Housing for Father's Day! - Video [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2014]
- Hyper CryptoCurrency Review - Video [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2014]
- 0NE " EPIC " (HD dubstep mix) spot - a cryptocurrency with an Engine - Video [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2014]
- Bitcoin,Litecoin mining rig cryptocurrency 2500W system, 6x 280x ASUS Beast 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2014]
- The Rundown Live #281 Tatiana Moroz (Chemtrails,CryptoCurrency,Anti-War) - Video [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2014]
- Neutrality Coin New Alternative Cryptocurrency - Video [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Update - Buy Low, Sell High! - Video [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2014]