CFPB 受到攻击：监管机构审查在线游戏中的加密货币和交易

美国消费者金融保护局 (CFPB) 正在监控游戏内金融交易，包括加密资产交易和借贷平台，强调对诈骗、盗窃和受害者缺乏追索权的担忧。该报告还研究了基于区块链的游戏和 DeFi 借贷平台的增长，强调了与这些新兴技术相关的潜在风险。

CFPB Scrutinizes Cryptocurrency and Financial Transactions in Online Gaming: A Comprehensive Analysis

CFPB 审查在线游戏中的加密货币和金融交易：综合分析

Introduction

介绍

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog responsible for safeguarding consumers in financial markets, has directed its attention towards online gaming, particularly focusing on monetary transactions conducted within game platforms. This intensified scrutiny comes amidst the burgeoning popularity and adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in the gaming industry.

消费者金融保护局 (CFPB) 是负责保护金融市场消费者的联邦监管机构，已将注意力转向在线游戏，特别是游戏平台内进行的货币交易。这种加强的审查是在加密货币和区块链技术在游戏行业中迅速流行和采用的背景下进行的。

In-Game Currency and Transactions

游戏内货币和交易

In numerous popular online video games, players engage in buying and selling in-game currencies, effectively converting fiat currencies into virtual equivalents. These in-game currencies are then utilized to acquire various services and items within the gameplay, including digital goods and enhancements.

在许多流行的在线视频游戏中，玩家参与买卖游戏内货币，有效地将法定货币转换为虚拟等价物。然后，这些游戏内货币用于获取游戏中的各种服务和物品，包括数字商品和增强功能。

The CFPB classifies these activities as "banking in video game titles and digital worlds." When in-game assets serve as a medium of exchange for goods, services, or peer-to-peer transfers, they bear striking similarities to financial institutions and payment providers.

CFPB 将这些活动归类为“视频游戏和数字世界中的银行业务”。当游戏内资产作为商品、服务或点对点转移的交换媒介时，它们与金融机构和支付提供商有着惊人的相似之处。

Cryptocurrency Integration

加密货币整合

The increased attention from the CFPB coincides with the growing interest and adoption of crypto gaming. In the first quarter of 2024, gaming tokens like GALA, IMX, FLOKI, and RON experienced a surge in value, collectively surpassing $26.9 billion in market capitalization.

CFPB 日益关注的同时，人们对加密货币游戏的兴趣和采用也日益增长。 2024 年第一季度，GALA、IMX、FLOKI 和 RON 等游戏代币的价值大幅上涨，总市值超过 269 亿美元。

AI developers have also taken notice of the potential in blockchain gaming. Helika, an AI analytics firm, recently launched a $50 million crypto gaming accelerator.

人工智能开发人员也注意到了区块链游戏的潜力。人工智能分析公司 Helika 最近推出了价值 5000 万美元的加密游戏加速器。

Concerns and Regulatory Focus

担忧和监管重点

The CFPB has expressed concerns about potential issues associated with online gaming, including scams, theft, and illicit activities. The agency has also identified a lack of recourse for users who lose their in-game assets.

CFPB 对与在线游戏相关的潜在问题（包括诈骗、盗窃和非法活动）表示担忧。该机构还发现，失去游戏内资产的用户缺乏追索权。

Gaming companies often adopt a "buyer beware" approach, placing the burden on individual players to avoid fraud and phishing attempts. While they may suspend or ban accounts suspected of fraudulent activity, they typically offer minimal support to victims.

游戏公司通常采取“买家当心”的方法，将避免欺诈和网络钓鱼企图的负担交给个人玩家。虽然他们可能会暂停或禁止涉嫌欺诈活动的帐户，但他们通常为受害者提供最低限度的支持。

Third-Party Platforms and Fiat Currency Exchange

第三方平台和法币兑换

The CFPB has identified the existence of third-party websites that facilitate the trading of in-game items and currencies for Bitcoin. For instance, Second Life's "Linden Dollars" can be acquired through Second Life's official Linden Commerce (LindeX) using fiat currencies and transferred to third parties via PayPal or Skrill.

CFPB 已确认存在促进游戏内物品和货币兑换比特币交易的第三方网站。例如，第二人生的“Linden Dollars”可以通过第二人生的官方林登商务（LindeX）使用法定货币获得，并通过PayPal或Skrill转移给第三方。

Blockchain-Based Games and NFTs

基于区块链的游戏和 NFT

The CFPB's report also sheds light on blockchain-based games and platforms, including Axie Infinity, Decentraland, Sandbox, and others. These games utilize cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that can be traded and sold for USD.

CFPB 的报告还揭示了基于区块链的游戏和平台，包括 Axie Infinity、Decentraland、Sandbox 等。这些游戏利用加密货币和不可替代代币（NFT），可以以美元进行交易和出售。

DeFi Lending Platforms

DeFi 借贷平台

The report also examines DeFi lending platforms like MetaLend, which allows Axie Infinity players to secure loans against their in-game NFTs while still using them for gameplay.

该报告还研究了 MetaLend 等 DeFi 借贷平台，该平台允许 Axie Infinity 玩家利用游戏内的 NFT 获得贷款，同时仍将其用于游戏。

Case Study: Axie Infinity

案例研究：Axie Infinity

Axie Infinity serves as a prime example of the challenges and opportunities presented by crypto gaming. At its peak, the game boasted over 2.7 million daily active users. However, as the player base grew, the cost of NFTs required to participate in the game skyrocketed, creating a hierarchy of users: investors, scholars, and laborers.

Axie Infinity 是加密游戏带来的挑战和机遇的典型例子。在巅峰时期，该游戏拥有超过 270 万日活跃用户。然而，随着玩家群体的扩大，参与游戏所需的 NFT 成本飙升，形成了用户的等级制度：投资者、学者和劳动者。

While the crypto-asset market initially praised Axie Infinity as a potential vehicle for earning income, reports emerged highlighting the exploitative practices employed within the game's ecosystem.

虽然加密资产市场最初称赞 Axie Infinity 是一种潜在的创收工具，但有报道强调了游戏生态系统中所采用的剥削行为。

The Ronin Hack

浪人黑客

In March 2022, Axie Infinity's Ethereum sidechain Ronin experienced a major hack. Stolen private keys were used to siphon approximately 173,600 ETH and 25.5 million USDC, amounting to $622 million at the time.

2022 年 3 月，Axie Infinity 的以太坊侧链 Ronin 遭遇重大黑客攻击。被盗的私钥被用来窃取大约 173,600 ETH 和 2550 万 USDC，当时金额达 6.22 亿美元。

Regulatory Response and Next Steps

监管回应和后续步骤

The CFPB report does not prescribe specific regulatory actions but indicates that the agency will continue to collaborate with other agencies to monitor the space. The CFPB intends to focus on companies that collect and monetize sensitive consumer data, particularly when such data is harvested without the consumer's knowledge or consent.

CFPB 报告没有规定具体的监管行动，但表示该机构将继续与其他机构合作来监控该领域。 CFPB 打算重点关注收集敏感消费者数据并将其货币化的公司，特别是在消费者不知情或未经同意的情况下收集此类数据的情况。

The CFPB's response to the evolving landscape of online gaming and cryptocurrency transactions underscores the increasing regulatory attention paid to this rapidly growing industry. As the lines between the virtual and the physical continue to blur, consumers must exercise vigilance and understand the potential risks and rewards associated with engaging in crypto gaming.

CFPB 对不断变化的在线游戏和加密货币交易格局的反应凸显了监管机构对这个快速发展的行业日益关注。随着虚拟和实体之间的界限不断模糊，消费者必须保持警惕并了解参与加密游戏相关的潜在风险和回报。