How Americans Are Losing Their Life Savings To Crypto Fraud

“Pig butchering” scams got its name from the idea that scammers “fatten up” victims by building trust, and the strategy has amassed billions in stolen funds—particularly in the form of cryptocurrencies. Losses from investment scams soared 38% to a new record high in 2023, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report. Of the $4.57 billion in funds reported stolen, $3.96 billion involved fraudulent crypto investments. So, why are these scams so successful and what is law enforcement doing about it?

Will crypto and blockchain be the downfall of the state? | Decoded

For centuries, banks and governments have acted as mediators between citizens and their money, granting institutions immense power over our financial transactions. But times are changing. Enter the Blockchain, a new way of recording and securing transactions that promise to bypass the traditional custodians of our wealth. But how does Blockchain work exactly, and is it going to cause a revolution? For better or worse, we’re living through a huge moment in history as the world shifts towards digitization and decentralization, centuries after the Industrial Revolution brought about immense progress. In this episode, adapted from the Arabic-language series Dahaleez, Amr Waked explores the power and potential dangers of the Blockchain.