The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Thursday issued a warning about cryptocurrency pump-and-dump schemes.
, published Thursday, marks the latest investor warning from the U.S. commodities and derivatives regulator. Earlier this month, the agency put out an advisory that urged caution around investing in cryptocurrency retirement accounts.
Other regulators, namely the Securities and Exchange Commission, have also sounded the alarm on pump-and-dump schemes, particularly around initial coin offerings (ICOs).
The latest advisory focuses in part on a key avenue for cryptocurrency promotion: social media. It's a notable topic, given that major platforms such as Facebook have moved to ban advertisements for cryptocurrencies and ICOs amid a spate of such marketing pushes.
In its statement, the agency said that investors should do their research before potentially buying a cryptocurrency.
"Customers should not purchase virtual currencies, digital coins, or tokens based on social media tips or sudden price spikes. Thoroughly research virtual currencies, digital coins, tokens, and the companies or entities behind them in order to separate hype from facts," it wrote.
Describing the environment as "old scam, new technology," the CFTC warned that "same basic fraud is now occurring using little known virtual currencies and digital coins or tokens."
The agency also detailed some of the methods by which the pump groups manipulate members to drive prices – often to the benefit of the organizers themselves.
The CFTC wrote:
The CFTC also hinted that it could seek enforcement actions against those who organize such groups.
"While its regulatory oversight authority over commodity cash markets is limited, the CFTC maintains general anti-fraud and manipulation enforcement authority over virtual currency cash markets as a commodity in interstate commerce."
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