From initial coin offerings that are totally fake to fraudsters demanding payments in crypto, scams involving cryptocurrencies are on the rise. Two experts explain why – and how to protect yourself.
The metaverse might be a work in progress, but a key prototype – the virtual world – has been around for several decades.
Screen capture from Second Life by Tom Boellstorff
NFTs are hailed as the foundation of the metaverse economy because they allow you to purchase unique digital assets, from art to real estate. But legally, you might not own what you think you do.
Di Wang, Queensland University of Technology; Brett Martin, Queensland University of Technology, and Jun Yao, Macquarie University
Narcissism and belief in conspiracy theories may be among the factors that motivate people to buy cryptocurrencies.
Members of Congress give Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a standing ovation during a speech by videoconference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2022. Ukraine says it is pioneering a new source of financial support: cryptocurrency.
(Sarahbeth Maney/The New York Times via AP)
Cryptocurrency allows Ukraine to get quick financial support, and Russia, to bypass international sanctions and protect some of its economic interests.
Many people promoting cryptocurrencies are looking for something bigger than the future of financial transactions. They’re aiming to break free of governments and corporations.
Bitcoin’s annual electricity consumption is more than three times New Zealand’s – those hidden environmental costs must be part of any future regulation.
A closer look at Bitcoin transactions suggests ordinary Russians are the ones buying more cryptocurrency, hoping to hang onto savings as the ruble’s value plummets.
Senior Lecturer & Director of the LLM. Research interests - AI and the law; Social relationships of trust; Sustainable futures, Australian National University