CFPB 對加密遊戲詐騙發出警告並呼籲加強消費者保護

在最近的一份報告中，消費者金融保護局（CFPB）表達了對以加密貨幣為中心的遊戲的擔憂，強調了虛擬世界中詐騙的可能性和消費者保護措施不足的可能性。該機構指出，電玩遊戲創作者提供可在遊戲經濟體之外作為加密資產進行交易的虛擬物品的趨勢不斷增長，使用戶能夠在第三方平台上將這些資產兌換成法定貨幣。

United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Warns of Crypto Gaming Scams and Weak Consumer Protections

美國消費者金融保護局警告加密遊戲詐騙和消費者保護薄弱

Washington, D.C., April 4, 2023 - The United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a comprehensive report, "Banking in Video Games and Virtual Worlds," raising concerns about the proliferation of scams and inadequate consumer safeguards in the burgeoning crypto-centric gaming industry.

華盛頓特區，2023 年4 月4 日- 美國消費者金融保護局(CFPB) 今天發布了一份綜合報告《視頻遊戲和虛擬世界中的銀行業務》，引發了人們對新興加密貨幣領域詐騙氾濫和消費者保障不足的擔憂以遊戲產業為中心。

The report highlights the growing trend of game developers integrating virtual items into the real world through the use of crypto assets. Despite the prevalence of gaming platforms such as Roblox and Fortnite, the CFPB emphasizes the increasing adoption of crypto assets in virtual worlds. Third-party trading platforms facilitate the conversion of these digital assets into fiat currencies.

該報告強調了遊戲開發商透過使用加密資產將虛擬物品融入現實世界的日益增長的趨勢。儘管 Roblox 和 Fortnite 等遊戲平台很流行，但 CFPB 強調加密資產在虛擬世界中的採用越來越多。第三方交易平台有助於將這些數位資產轉換為法定貨幣。

The report states: "Notably, some of the largest virtual gaming world publishers have expressed growing interest in positioning their virtual items as crypto-assets that have the ability to be traded outside of the game's economy." This trend has raised concerns among industry experts and consumer advocates alike.

該報告指出：“值得注意的是，一些最大的虛擬遊戲世界發行商越來越有興趣將其虛擬物品定位為能夠在遊戲經濟之外進行交易的加密資產。”這一趨勢引起了行業專家和消費者權益倡導者的擔憂。

According to Alexander Grieve, government affairs lead at Paradigm, reports such as the one published by the CFPB may foreshadow upcoming regulatory actions. He suggests that the CFPB, like many federal agencies, is seeking to establish its regulatory role in the cryptosphere, with this report potentially serving as a precursor to such measures.

Paradigm 政府事務主管 Alexander Grieve 表示，CFPB 發布的報告可能預示著即將採取的監管行動。他表示，CFPB 與許多聯邦機構一樣，正在尋求確立其在加密領域的監管作用，這份報告可能成為此類措施的先驅。

The CFPB report emphasizes that online video games and virtual worlds are rapidly evolving into environments that resemble traditional banking systems but currently lack the protections afforded by federal regulations. The agency has received numerous complaints regarding hacking attempts, account theft, and the loss of assets within games, with consumers expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of support provided by gaming companies.

CFPB 報告強調，線上電玩遊戲和虛擬世界正迅速演變成類似傳統銀行系統的環境，但目前缺乏聯邦法規提供的保護。該機構已收到大量有關駭客企圖、帳戶被盜以及遊戲內資產遺失的投訴，消費者對遊戲公司缺乏支持表示不滿。

Rohit Chopra, Director of the CFPB, highlighted the increasing trend of Americans converting billions of dollars into digital currencies for gaming purposes. With banking and payments shifting to virtual realms, the CFPB has made it a priority to safeguard consumers from fraud and financial exploitation.

CFPB 主任 Rohit Chopra 強調了美國人出於遊戲目的將數十億美元兌換成數位貨幣的趨勢日益明顯。隨著銀行和支付轉向虛擬領域，CFPB 已將保護消費者免受欺詐和金融剝削作為首要任務。

In line with this objective, the CFPB has recently introduced a proposed rule titled "Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications." This rule would grant the agency oversight over "larger nonbank firms" that provide digital wallet and payment app services. It mandates nonbank financial entities processing over five million transactions annually to adhere to regulations akin to those imposed on major banks and credit unions. Although the 62-page rule references cryptocurrency sparingly, critics contend that it "asserts authority over cryptocurrency" in an inappropriate and overreaching manner.

為了實現這一目標，CFPB 最近提出了一項名為「定義通用數位消費者支付應用市場的更大參與者」的建議規則。該規則將授予該機構對提供數位錢包和支付應用程式服務的「大型非銀行公司」的監督權。它要求每年處理超過 500 萬筆交易的非銀行金融實體遵守類似於對主要銀行和信用合作社實施的法規。儘管長達 62 頁的規則很少提及加密貨幣，但批評者認為，它以不恰當且過度的方式「維護了對加密貨幣的權威」。

The CFPB's report and proposed rule underscore the agency's growing concern over the potential risks associated with the proliferation of crypto assets and virtual banking in the gaming industry. As the convergence of gaming, finance, and technology continues to disrupt the traditional financial landscape, consumers are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the inherent risks involved in navigating these uncharted waters.

CFPB 的報告和擬議規則突顯了該機構對遊戲產業加密資產和虛擬銀行激增相關潛在風險的日益擔憂。隨著遊戲、金融和技術的融合繼續擾亂傳統的金融格局，建議消費者謹慎行事，並意識到在這些未知領域航行所涉及的固有風險。