The future of raising finance - a new opportunity to commit fraud: a review of initial coin offering (ICOs) scams.

Over one billion US dollars were invested in blockchain in 2016. The potential application of blockchain extends far beyond cryptocurrencies. One use of blockchain is an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), a digital method of raising finance involving issuance of tokens in exchange for cryptocurrencies or...

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Published in:Crime, Law & Social Change Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 417 - 442
Main Authors: Tiwari, Milind, Gepp, Adrian, Kumar, Kuldeep
Format: Article
Published: Springer Nature May2020
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: May2020
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        atl: The future of raising finance - a new opportunity to commit fraud: a review of initial coin offering (ICOs) scams.
      aug:
        au:
          Tiwari, Milind
          Gepp, Adrian
          Kumar, Kuldeep
        affil: Bond Business School, Bond University, 4229, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
      su:
        Fraud
        Fraud in science
        Finance
        Coins
        Fundraising
        Blockchains
      sug:
        subj:
          Fraud
          Fraud in science
          Jewellery and watch merchant wholesalers
          Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers
          Grant-making and giving services
          Grantmaking Foundations
          Finance
          Coins
          Fundraising
          Blockchains
      ab: Over one billion US dollars were invested in blockchain in 2016. The potential application of blockchain extends far beyond cryptocurrencies. One use of blockchain is an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), a digital method of raising finance involving issuance of tokens in exchange for cryptocurrencies or fiat money. It is a cheaper, easier and quicker way to raise funds compared with traditional public offerings. However, it has raised a new opportunity for fraud. An estimated 10% of ICO funds have been lost to fraud. Using case-study analysis, this study determines characteristics of such fraud schemes and the regulatory changes made in response to them. The study reveals key lessons for investors in terms of proactive steps that can be taken to protect themselves from being victims, for issuers to ensure awareness and take steps to secure investors' trust, and for regulators to promote a safe environment. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to document the effect of ICO fraud schemes on the regulatory environment, which is going through a series of amendments to provide protection against such fraudulent schemes. Additionally, it provides direction for future research to further investigate the risks of this new method of raising funds.
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    language: English
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