{"id":1847,"date":"2017-11-03T19:22:51","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T19:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/?p=1847"},"modified":"2018-04-25T19:12:12","modified_gmt":"2018-04-25T19:12:12","slug":"news-bitfinex-crypto-withdrawal-problems-sec-vs-celebrity-icos-tapscott-ico-scammers-magic-bubbles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/2017\/11\/03\/news-bitfinex-crypto-withdrawal-problems-sec-vs-celebrity-icos-tapscott-ico-scammers-magic-bubbles\/","title":{"rendered":"News: Bitfinex crypto withdrawal problems, SEC vs celebrity ICOs, Tapscott VC fund, scammers, magic, bubbles"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>You haven&#8217;t been able to get actual money out of Bitfinex since mid-March, but now there are increasing user reports of <a href=\"https:\/\/np.reddit.com\/r\/bitfinex\/comments\/7a5z5x\/withdrawal_problem\/\">problems withdrawing cryptos as well<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/Tjfa2\">archive<\/a>).\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The SEC: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sec.gov\/news\/public-statement\/statement-potentially-unlawful-promotion-icos\">Statement on Potentially Unlawful Promotion of ICOs and Other Investments by Celebrities and Others<\/a>. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/view\/contributors\/ARbTQlRLRjE\/matthew-s-levine\/articles\">Matt Levine<\/a> keeps pointing out, <i>everything<\/i> is securities law.\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>ME: Why am I doing this <a href=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/book\/\">book<\/a> rubbish, I could just set up an ICO and<br \/>\nWIFE: No.<br \/>\nME: But it could be<br \/>\nWIFE: No.<\/p>\n<p>Apparently, the Financial Conduct Authority may not properly appreciate the concept of blockchain performance art. Obviously, my error as author of a book on blockchains was in failing to start a &#8220;crypto VC fund&#8221; for which I listed people as advisors <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/laurashin\/2017\/11\/01\/alex-tapscotts-crypto-vc-firm-going-public-with-100m-cad-falsely-touted-4-blockchain-stars-as-advisors\/\">while neglecting to tell them<\/a>. Presumably Alex Tapscott&#8217;s finger slipped.\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Financial Times: <a href=\"https:\/\/ftalphaville.ft.com\/2017\/11\/03\/2195503\/if-you-follow-us-you-will-make-money-how-bitcoin-is-marketed-to-the-masses\/\">\u2018If you follow us you will make money\u2019: how bitcoin is marketed to the masses.<\/a> This sort of thing is part of why I wrote a book. Don&#8217;t forget, the paperback makes a <a href=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/2017\/11\/02\/book-news-stock-up-on-50-foot-blockchains-for-christmas-with-affiliate-links\/\">perfect Christmas present<\/a> for your retired parents!\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/2017\/11\/03\/news-bitfinex-crypto-withdrawal-problems-sec-vs-celebrity-icos-tapscott-ico-scammers-magic-bubbles\/central-bank-of-the-forest\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1859\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/central-bank-of-the-forest-300x129.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"129\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/central-bank-of-the-forest-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/central-bank-of-the-forest.png 551w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ftalphaville.ft.com\/2017\/11\/02\/2195470\/the-hitchhikers-guide-to-cryptocurrencies\/\">The Hitchhiker\u2019s Guide To Cryptocurrencies<\/a> by Martin Walker. A cautionary tale regarding magical money trees.\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The Economist dares suggest that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/blogs\/buttonwood\/2017\/11\/greater-fool-theory-0\">Bitcoin might be in a bubble<\/a>, in case you hadn&#8217;t noticed.\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>And, since I&#8217;ve got a transaction backlog, some favourite tweets of late.\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div align=center>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">In light of the recent death threats that I have received, I realize that Segwit2x is a bad idea and I publicly revoke my support for it.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Vinny Lingham (@VinnyLingham) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VinnyLingham\/status\/926152976149839872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 2, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VinnyLingham\/status\/926152976149839872\">#notacult<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Overheard: Dude on train said he took acid to remember bitcoin passwords Worth \u00a310m in today\u2019s value. To no avail apparently \ud83d\ude31<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Alex Dunsdon (@alexdunsdon) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/alexdunsdon\/status\/926222237979553792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 2, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I decided to dress up as Craig Wright for Halloween.<\/p>\n<p>Though in the spirit of Craig Wright, I won&#39;t be providing verifiable proof.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Peter Todd (@peterktodd) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/peterktodd\/status\/925718717824106496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 1, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Peter provided me with a thumb drive containing an image of him dressed as CW, which I viewed on a fresh laptop. Take my word for it.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ethan Scruples (@agent_scruples) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/agent_scruples\/status\/925722903345336320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 1, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This is the most incredible email attachment virus I have ever seen. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9Yj2a4Dq9t\">pic.twitter.com\/9Yj2a4Dq9t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; SwiftOnSecurity (@SwiftOnSecurity) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SwiftOnSecurity\/status\/926073998437421056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 2, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Here we go. This must be what it feels like to join the Moonies. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2wtCzXaWnF\">pic.twitter.com\/2wtCzXaWnF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dave \u201cData isn&#39;t the new oil\u201d Birch (@dgwbirch) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dgwbirch\/status\/925584739804868609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 1, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dgwbirch\/status\/925584739804868609\n\">#totallynotacult<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">From a Bitcoin conference today. The people who think they solved the entire world economy also set up this couch. <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/AoNrwox5kx\">pic.twitter.com\/AoNrwox5kx<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Andrew (@andrew__aaaaahh) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/andrew__aaaaahh\/status\/487245850431991809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 10, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I remember when I accidentally gave the guy at McDonald\u2019s $250k for my order.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Tz6ZT8mjCm\">https:\/\/t.co\/Tz6ZT8mjCm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Buttcoin (@ButtCoin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ButtCoin\/status\/921165231199608835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 20, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/2017\/11\/03\/news-bitfinex-crypto-withdrawal-problems-sec-vs-celebrity-icos-tapscott-ico-scammers-magic-bubbles\/joseph-cox\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1935\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/joseph-cox.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"634\" height=\"735\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1935\" srcset=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/joseph-cox.png 634w, https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/joseph-cox-259x300.png 259w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=center>[<a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171028172301\/https:\/twitter.com\/josephfcox\/status\/922792635974209536\">source<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;\n<\/p><\/div>\n<br><br><div align=\"center\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=8420236\"><img src=\"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/become_a_patron_button.svg\" alt=\"Become a Patron!\" title=\"Become a Patron!\" width=217 height=51><\/a><br><p style=\"align:center;\" class=\"patreon-badge\"><i>Your subscriptions keep this site going. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=8420236\">Sign up today!<\/a><\/i><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Plus some favourite tweets for the weekend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[205,38,207,9,6,206,33],"class_list":["post-1847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-alex-tapscott","tag-bitfinex","tag-economist","tag-ico","tag-links","tag-martin-walker","tag-sec"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1847"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1937,"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1847\/revisions\/1937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidgerard.co.uk\/blockchain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}