Pump and Dump
Learn about the prevalence of pump and dump schemes in the cryptocurrency realm, how the scams work, and how you can avoid them.
Although blockchain technology and digital coins are fairly young, they are still susceptible to the same scams that have been going on for years. Pump-and-dump schemes are one of these scams.
The unregulated cryptocurrency industry has given scams fertile ground because users are confident they won't be quickly apprehended by authorities.
Crypto pump-and-dump groups encourage the promotion of unregulated coins mainly over Discord and Telegram because regulations for the cryptocurrency industry are still being developed.
Let us take a deeper look at pump-and-dump scams and how prevalent they are in the cryptocurrency realm.
Key Takeaways
- Pump-and-dump scams are a type of deceptive tactic used to artificially inflate the price of a stock or security.
- Pump-and-dump scams are more prevalent in the unregulated cryptocurrency industry.
- Pump-and-dump scams are mainly promoted on Discord and Telegram.
- Look out for excessive hype surrounding a project as this could be a warning sign of a pump-and-dump scheme.
- Do your own research and due diligence before investing in a project.
Pump & Dump – What Does It Mean?
Pump-and-dump is a deceptive tactic used to artificially inflate the price of a stock or security using fictitious recommendations. These recommendations are founded on statements that are untrue, deceptive, or greatly exaggerated.
In a pump-and-dump scheme, the perpetrators already hold a position in the company's stock, which they will sell once the hype has driven up the share price.
According to securities law, this practice is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. Recently, there has been a rise in pump-and-dump schemes in the cryptocurrency realm. This is due to the rise in the global adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Pump & Dump Crypto Groups
Online pump-and-dump operations are carried out by self-organized groups of people. Using Discord and Telegram, these pump-and-dump groups plan the scams in full view, making it possible for anyone to join the groups without permission.
There is a line of authority between members and the leaders (or admins) who run pump-and-dump groups. Higher-ranked users are informed of the target coin's disclosure sooner than lower-ranked users are, which starts the pump.
The member has a better chance of acquiring at a lower price and making more money from the pump-and-dump scheme in this way. The majority of organizations are organized using an affiliation system, where members can advance in rank by recruiting new people to the group.
Pump & Dump Scams
These frauds rely on creating a lot of hype and interest in the new coin. A persuasive social media post or message is the best way to achieve this.
Scammers frequently make extravagant promises of quick growth and fabricate information about the purpose of a cryptocurrency as well as the people or things connected to it.
The scammers might also recruit influencers or other people with a sizable social media following. They might pay these individuals to speak favourably about cryptocurrency. This will, at the very least, spark a lot of interest or hype.
The information above will be sufficient to cause severe FOMO (fear of missing out) for many. The triggered users go ahead and buy the token, causing the price to skyrocket and activating the scam.
Staying Away from Pump & Dump Scams
So how can you identify a pump-and-dump cryptocurrency scheme? Investor protection depends on knowing whether and how instantaneously someone can implement a pump-and-dump strategy.
Despite the fact that there are no surefire signs of pump-and-dump cryptocurrency scams, you should be wary of excessive hype surrounding a project or its token because these could be warning signs. Investors should therefore continuously assess cryptocurrency projects before making wise investment choices.
Any time you hear a well-known influencer or celebrity discuss a cryptocurrency, consider their possible motivations. Many influencers and celebrities have little knowledge of cryptocurrencies; if they are paid to do so, they will simply promote products.
It's unlikely that the influential figure will support the project directly. The fact that these people receive compensation is more typical.
Conclusion
Perform your own research and due diligence before investing your hard-earned money. You can easily find a plethora of information about reputable businesses, including their financial statements, management team, and business prospects. The absence of such data can frequently be a warning sign in and of itself.
Numerous cryptocurrency projects may seem too good to be true, and in the majority of cases, they are. You must stay as far away from them as you can. Instead, only make an investment after carefully examining a project. At the end of the day, only invest money that you can afford to lose. If you put all your eggs in a basket, there is a high chance that you will lose them all.
FAQs
What is the goal of Pump and Dump?
The goal of pump and dump is to make a quick profit for the traders involved by buying low and selling high.
How can I identify a Pump and Dump in progress?
Signs of a pump and dump in progress may include a sudden spike in the price of a coin or token, an increase in trading volume, or messages on social media or other online forums indicating that a pump is taking place.
What are the risks associated with Pump and Dump trading?
The main risks associated with pump and dump trading are the potential for large losses due to the rapid price movements and the potential to be scammed by an experienced pump and dump trader.
Are Pump and Dump activities illegal?
Pump and dump activities are generally not illegal. However, they are frowned upon by most regulatory bodies (especially on the stocks market) and can be punished with fines or jail time if taken to extremes.
What is the best way to identify Pump and Dump opportunities?
The best way to identify pump and dump opportunities is to stay up to date on news and rumors in the cryptocurrency market, monitor social media and online forums, and use technical analysis to spot potential pump and dump trading activities.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial investment advice.