CFPB Warning Ignores Bitcoin's Consumer Protections
Last week's advisory from the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warning consumers about the risks of virtual currencies such as bitcoin diligently listed several obvious risks, but simultaneously omitted the very consumer protections provided by certain cryptographic monies. Citing malicious hackers, potentially high mark-up fees, exchange-rate volatility, lack of governmental insurance, and risk of private key loss is laudable given that so few market participants conduct proper due diligence before jumping in to a new alternative. The majority of companies involved in the....
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The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) incited a mixed response from the bitcoin community on 11th August when it issued a new warning to US consumers. The release evoked sometimes strong language in an attempt to warn the public about the potential dangers of engaging with the bitcoin ecosystem, with CFPB Director Richard Cordray likening the ecosystem to a virtual 'Wild West'. Following the release of the guidance, CoinDesk reached out to the CFPB for more details on how the agency has been working to educate its employees and consumers about bitcoin and digital currency, and....
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a new warning to consumers, advising that they should exercise caution when engaging with the bitcoin and digital currency markets. The CFPB advisory urges consumers to be vigilant as there are risks to consider when dealing and transacting with digital currency; namely, volatile exchange rates, unclear costs, security threats posed by hackers and scammers and the possibility that companies may not always be able to provide help or refunds for lost or stolen funds. Notably, the news comes two months after the Government....
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published a set of proposals that could impact cryptocurrency users. Its 870-page report, published 13th November, is largely focused on prepaid debit cards, but some provisions in the document may apply to cryptocurrency wallets too. Regulations may apply to all digital wallets. The bureau is still seeking comment on its proposed definition of 'prepaid accounts' and admits that the document remains a work-in-progress. While most of its proposal deals with cards, however, the CFPB notes that it could apply to digital currencies as well:....
The full GAO report is now available and can be found here. The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an independent federal agency tasked with policing financial products, is preparing to take its first steps toward increasing oversight of bitcoin following a request from a separate government agency. Bloomberg reports that the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which oversees Congressional spending and policies, formally asked the CFPB to look into digital currencies earlier this year. In a letter obtained by Bloomberg, the GAO said that it wants US consumer finance....
Members of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have determined that issues surrounding digital currencies and any related products and services are outside their jurisdiction, and not liable to be covered or handled under their regulations. The CFPB is an independent, government agency that works to protect consumer activity in financial sectors. Typically, services are limited to customers of commercial banking firms, credit card companies, payday lenders, securities firms, and mortgage and foreclosure groups. While virtual currencies continue to add to their rosters of....