CFPB 對加密貨幣遊戲發出危險訊號

消費者金融保護局（CFPB）發布了一份關於以加密貨幣為中心的遊戲的報告，表達了對虛擬環境中的詐騙和消費者保護不足的擔憂。該報告強調了遊戲創作者透過加密資產將虛擬物品與現實世界價值聯繫起來的日益增長的趨勢，儘管它們在主流遊戲平台上的存在有限。 CFPB強調加密資產虛擬世界的重要性，虛擬資產可以在外部平台上轉換為法定貨幣。該機構指出，網路遊戲和虛擬世界缺乏傳統的銀行保護，收到有關駭客攻擊、帳戶盜竊和資產損失的投訴。

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Raises Concerns over Crypto-Centric Gaming

消費者金融保護局對以加密貨幣為中心的遊戲表示擔憂

Washington, D.C. - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a comprehensive report titled "Banking in Video Games and Virtual Worlds," expressing concerns about the proliferation of crypto-centric gaming and the potential risks it poses to consumers.

華盛頓特區- 消費者金融保護局(CFPB) 發布了一份題為“視頻遊戲和虛擬世界中的銀行業務”的綜合報告，表達了對以加密貨幣為中心的遊戲擴散及其給消費者帶來的潛在風險的擔憂。

The report highlights a growing trend among game developers to integrate virtual items with cryptocurrencies, creating novel virtual economies that blur the lines between real-world finance and in-game purchases. While crypto's presence in mainstream gaming platforms like Roblox and Fortnite remains relatively limited, it is gaining traction in niche virtual worlds.

該報告強調了遊戲開發商將虛擬物品與加密貨幣結合的趨勢，創造了新穎的虛擬經濟，模糊了現實世界金融和遊戲內購買之間的界線。雖然加密貨幣在 Roblox 和 Fortnite 等主流遊戲平台中的存在仍然相對有限，但它在利基虛擬世界中正在獲得吸引力。

Despite the nascent nature of crypto-asset virtual worlds, the CFPB emphasizes their significance due to the emergence of third-party trading platforms that enable users to convert virtual assets into fiat currency. This enhanced liquidity beyond conventional gaming markets has piqued the interest of major gaming publishers, who are exploring the potential of positioning virtual items as crypto-assets that can be traded outside the confines of the game's economy.

儘管加密資產虛擬世界才剛起步，但 CFPB 強調了其重要性，因為第三方交易平台的出現使用戶能夠將虛擬資產轉換為法定貨幣。這種超越傳統遊戲市場的流動性增強激起了主要遊戲發行商的興趣，他們正在探索將虛擬物品定位為可以在遊戲經濟範圍之外進行交易的加密資產的潛力。

"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," the report states.

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。”

The CFPB notes that crypto assets in virtual environments like Decentraland and The Sandbox can be exchanged for fiat currency on external cryptocurrency platforms, raising concerns about the potential for financial fraud and market manipulation.

CFPB 指出，Decentraland 和 The Sandbox 等虛擬環境中的加密資產可以在外部加密貨幣平台上兌換為法定貨幣，這引發了人們對潛在的金融詐欺和市場操縱的擔憂。

"The concerns raised by the CFPB are significant and warrant close scrutiny," said Alexander Grieve, government affairs lead at Paradigm. "Reports such as this one could signal upcoming regulatory actions, as federal agencies seek to define their roles in the rapidly evolving cryptosphere."

Paradigm 政府事務負責人 Alexander Grieve 表示：“CFPB 提出的擔憂非常嚴重，值得密切關注。” “像這樣的報告可能預示著即將採取的監管行動，因為聯邦機構試圖確定自己在快速發展的加密領域中的角色。”

The CFPB also highlights the growing similarities between online video games and virtual worlds and traditional banking systems, particularly in terms of monetary transactions and asset storage. However, these virtual environments often lack the same level of consumer protections as traditional financial institutions.

CFPB 也強調了線上視訊遊戲和虛擬世界與傳統銀行系統之間日益增長的相似性，特別是在貨幣交易和資產儲存方面。然而，這些虛擬環境往往缺乏與傳統金融機構相同程度的消費者保護。

"Consumers have reported experiencing hacking attempts, account theft, and asset loss within games, and have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of support from gaming companies," the report states.

報告指出：“消費者報告稱，他們在遊戲中遭遇過黑客攻擊、帳戶被盜和資產丟失，並對缺乏遊戲公司的支持表示不滿。”

CFPB Director Rohit Chopra has emphasized the increasing prevalence of Americans converting billions of dollars into digital currencies for gaming purposes. As banking and payments services migrate to virtual realms, the CFPB aims to safeguard consumers from fraud and financial exploitation.

CFPB 主任 Rohit Chopra 強調，美國人越來越普遍地將數十億美元兌換成數位貨幣用於遊戲目的。隨著銀行和支付服務遷移到虛擬領域，CFPB 旨在保護消費者免受詐欺和金融剝削。

To this end, the CFPB has 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" providing digital wallet and payment app services.

為此，CFPB 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。

Nonbank financial entities processing over five million transactions annually would be required to adhere to regulations akin to those imposed on major banks and credit unions. While the 62-page rule makes minimal references to cryptocurrency, critics contend that it "asserts authority over cryptocurrency" in an overly broad and potentially inappropriate manner.

每年處理超過 500 萬筆交易的非銀行金融實體將被要求遵守類似於對主要銀行和信用合作社實施的法規。雖然 62 頁的規則對加密貨幣的提及很少，但批評者認為，它以過於寬泛且可能不恰當的方式「主張對加密貨幣的權威」。

The CFPB's report and proposed rule reflect the agency's growing focus on cryptocurrencies and their potential impact on consumers. As the virtual gaming and crypto industries continue to converge, the CFPB is likely to play a significant role in shaping the regulatory landscape for this emerging sector.

CFPB 的報告和擬議規則反映出該機構越來越關注加密貨幣及其對消費者的潛在影響。隨著虛擬遊戲和加密貨幣產業不斷融合，CFPB 可能會在塑造這個新興產業的監管格局方面發揮重要作用。