Spotlight on cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have become increasingly popular over the past decade – with some proponents believing they have the potential to revolutionise the world’s financial system. Crypto can be appealing to a lot of people, but what are some of the things to consider before investing?  

It’s a high risk, speculative investment and prices can go up and down very quickly. You should be prepared to lose all your money invested.  

Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency is by far the most dominant, with the total value of bitcoins circulating now measured in the trillions of dollars.

But there is generally no underlying physical asset that determines the value of a cryptocurrency. This means that its value is largely driven by speculation and what people will pay for it. 

Cryptocurrencies are a type of asset that exists in digital form and can be managed, stored or transferred typically using a distributed ledger (such as a blockchain). Encryption technology is used to control the amount of currency issued and to record ownership and payments.

Because it is decentralised by nature, there’s no control by a single entity such as a government, bank or financial institution - there are no restrictions on who can issue them. For some, cryptocurrencies are attractive because they give access to financial services without the need to rely on traditional financial institutions such as banks.

Crypto also offers the possibility of faster transactions and lower fees compared to conventional financial transactions.

Many are attracted to crypto investing by the possibility of high returns as they increase in value. Early adopters of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have witnessed substantial gains, drawing more investors to explore such digital assets.

So while using crypto to pay for everyday goods and services is still limited, cryptocurrencies are gaining acceptance as investments and payment options by financial institutions and businesses.

Crypto isn’t specifically regulated here in New Zealand, and international laws and regulations vary widely from country to country. While there are some basic consumer protections when you put your money into most other financial products – this may not be the case for crypto investments.  

Understanding the risks

Many of the big overseas crypto exchanges are unregulated and they operate exclusively online, with no connection to New Zealand.  

This makes it hard to find out exactly who is offering, exchanging, buying or selling crypto. It can also make it difficult for you to contact the exchange or make a complaint and it is unlikely you will get your money back if things go wrong.  

Crypto and scams  

Around a quarter of the warnings published last year by the FMA had a link to crypto. Scammers like using crypto as the transactions move fast and are irreversible, making it harder to trace. It also allows them to hide their identities and activities.  

The most common crypto scams are related to fake online crypto investment platforms. These online platforms offer different types of investments in crypto and returns that are often unrealistically high.  

Once someone invests with the platform, they are shown a fake dashboard with the “profits” they earned, but these are fake. These fake profits are usually shown to encourage an investor to put in even bigger sums of money.  

When the investor then wants to withdraw funds, they are asked to first pay advance fees to cover taxes or commission. Even when these fees are paid, the investor cannot withdraw their funds. 

Investors used to come across these fake online crypto investment platforms by searching online for investment opportunities, but it is now common to be introduced to these platforms via social media. This could come from simply clicking on an advertisement, or being invited to invest after meeting a friend or potential love interest online.  

So although cryptocurrencies haven’t yet fully transformed the global financial system, they remain a popular investment option for many New Zealand investors. And opting for a platform that is registered here in New Zealand is one great way to improve the security of these investments.  

Cryptocurrencies

Disputes and consumer protection

FMA warnings and alerts