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Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

fortune.com

21–30 of 473 posts

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#21
Wait, can someone explain to me why they would explicitly announce it like this? This almost sounds like they're expecting to go bankrupt, or have plans to close the platform.

In the last 7 days they have lost over 50% value, and dropping a news bomb like this is only going to make it worse, isn't it?

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder why he's allowed to say on Twitter there is no risk of bankruptcy [0]. While the risk could be minimal and maybe negligible saying "no risk" means zero chance. That can't be true of any company. For a public company ceo to say that, isn't that securities fraud? I guess even if it is fraud and they do get prosecuted by the SEC they'd just get fined for it. And maybe the fine here would be much less than th…

>> For a public company ceo to say that, isn't that securities fraud? Cryptocurrencies are not regulated securities. What laws protect cryptocurrency "investors"?

Coinbase shares are a regulated security. The poster is suggesting that the statements by the CEO are securities fraud for those shares not for crypto.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder why he's allowed to say on Twitter there is no risk of bankruptcy [0]. While the risk could be minimal and maybe negligible saying "no risk" means zero chance. That can't be true of any company. For a public company ceo to say that, isn't that securities fraud? I guess even if it is fraud and they do get prosecuted by the SEC they'd just get fined for it. And maybe the fine here would be much less than th…

>> For a public company ceo to say that, isn't that securities fraud? Cryptocurrencies are not regulated securities. What laws protect cryptocurrency "investors"?

Coinbase is publicly traded, OP is clearly referring to securities fraud as it relates to public statements that could have material impact on Coinbase stock.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#24
post #2

Since coinbase isn’t FDIC insured, it makes sense that if coinbase goes bankrupt, the customer currencies will go away as well. And they aren’t SPIC insured in the situations where crypto is a security. It’s funny to see people shocked (SHOCKED!) when crypto doesn’t have the protections of regular banking and investments. That’s why you don’t invest with stuff that isn’t insured. Those aren’t real rates, they are ris…

I do wonder why he's allowed to say on Twitter there is no risk of bankruptcy [0]. While the risk could be minimal and maybe negligible saying "no risk" means zero chance. That can't be true of any company. For a public company ceo to say that, isn't that securities fraud? I guess even if it is fraud and they do get prosecuted by the SEC they'd just get fined for it. And maybe the fine here would be much less than th…

The SEC can't prosecute anyone, they have no criminal enforcement power. However they can bring civil actions for fraud or other violations of securities law, and refer criminal fraud cases to the Justice Department.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#25
post #21

Wait, can someone explain to me why they would explicitly announce it like this? This almost sounds like they're expecting to go bankrupt, or have plans to close the platform. In the last 7 days they have lost over 50% value, and dropping a news bomb like this is only going to make it worse, isn't it?

They are required to do so by the SEC.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#26
post #3
post #2

Since coinbase isn’t FDIC insured, it makes sense that if coinbase goes bankrupt, the customer currencies will go away as well. And they aren’t SPIC insured in the situations where crypto is a security. It’s funny to see people shocked (SHOCKED!) when crypto doesn’t have the protections of regular banking and investments. That’s why you don’t invest with stuff that isn’t insured. Those aren’t real rates, they are ris…

The only exception I might take to what you're saying is that one of the main reasons for crypto is resistance to central authority, so the emergence of a situation where something like this can happen should be edifying. It's not the first time this has happened; people seem to forget about Mt Gox. These exchanges need to be part of the crypto schema. Crypto theory is so focused on the chain and not the infrastructu…

> The only exception I might take to what you're saying is that one of the main reasons for crypto is resistance to central authority, so the emergence of a situation where something like this can happen should be edifying.

Explain.

> It's not the first time this has happened; people seem to forget about Mt Gox.

False equivalence, MTGOX wasn't a Publically traded company with tons of VC money and lots of institutional funds (Ark et al) backing them; Mark embezzled funds and had horrible OPSEC that led to a massive hack. He tried covering this up, Coinbase reporting a massive loss is definitely not the same thing.

> These exchanges need to be part of the crypto schema. Crypto theory is so focused on the chain and not the infrastructure that builds up around it.

Coinbase has been the bane of the Bitcoin ecosystem since MTGOX folded. They are not a representation of what the 'Crypto' schema needs, in fact I'd argue CASH is a superior product in very conceivable way.

And what exactly is Crypto theory, exactly?

The Infrastructure was meant to be P2P, as noted in the White paper by Satoshi: exchanges are merely a response from the growing Market to cater to the increase in demand, and the truth is they still exist. Kraken, Binance, Gemini etc... still exist and will for some time. The number of exchanges isn't the issue in 'Cryoto land,' it's the scams and I'm glad Coinbase being a pusher of these worthless alts deserves to suffer. My worry is what happens to their BTC if they decided to unload to cover losses.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do wonder why he's allowed to say on Twitter there is no risk of bankruptcy [0]. While the risk could be minimal and maybe negligible saying "no risk" means zero chance. That can't be true of any company. For a public company ceo to say that, isn't that securities fraud? I guess even if it is fraud and they do get prosecuted by the SEC they'd just get fined for it. And maybe the fine here would be much less than th…

If you don't have significant liabilities you can't really go bankrupt. (I didn't look to see if that was the case, just making the point in general)

Nonsense. They can get hacked or introduce a bug into their stack and go bust in under an hour. That's extremely unlikely, but not impossible.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#29
post #2

Since coinbase isn’t FDIC insured, it makes sense that if coinbase goes bankrupt, the customer currencies will go away as well. And they aren’t SPIC insured in the situations where crypto is a security. It’s funny to see people shocked (SHOCKED!) when crypto doesn’t have the protections of regular banking and investments. That’s why you don’t invest with stuff that isn’t insured. Those aren’t real rates, they are ris…

> Since coinbase isn’t FDIC insured Coinbase Pro is FDIC insured, makes one wonder why Coinbase itself isn't. https://pro.coinbase.com/?1416

> Coinbase Pro is FDIC insured, makes one wonder why Coinbase itself isn't.

This is exactly what those not familiar with Coinbase don't understand, the two systems are tiered and reflect that: Coinbase is by far the worst exchange experience, and they do not car about their customers unless they are Pro customers.

This gives the average person with limited knowledge the worst possible UX into thinking this is how things are and likely deters them from ever trying againg when their order doesn't get completed because of some arbitrary reason.

They did this to themselves, I can assure you this was a long time coming.

Re: Coinbase warns that bankruptcy could wipe out user funds

#30
post #2

Since coinbase isn’t FDIC insured, it makes sense that if coinbase goes bankrupt, the customer currencies will go away as well. And they aren’t SPIC insured in the situations where crypto is a security. It’s funny to see people shocked (SHOCKED!) when crypto doesn’t have the protections of regular banking and investments. That’s why you don’t invest with stuff that isn’t insured. Those aren’t real rates, they are ris…

Coinbase looks more like a brokerage to me than a bank. While SPIC insurance covers some of your assets the bigger protection comes from brokerage rules around segregating user funds from company funds and the expectation of the courts that those funds won’t be used to settle company debts.

So it is a little surprising to me that crypto assets wouldn’t be treated similarly, which is probably why the SEC is demanding this disclosure.

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