Struggling to Write Crypto Caps? There’s Now a Southern Solution!
Ah, South Africa. Land of braais, beaches, and… crypto asset advisements? Yes, it’s true! South Africans have embraced cryptocurrencies to the tune of literally billions of dollars, and the national government has now stepped in to ensure sensible use of these assets.
What’s the Buzz All About?
The South African Code of Banking Practice (SA Code) has been updated by the Organization of Banking Ombudsman (OBO) to require all ads for crypto assets to include a capital loss warning. Basically, don’t invest your life savings in something you don’t know too much about, because you could potentially lose it all.
How Was This Decided?
It turns out that the OBO has a pretty iron-clad basis for this new regulation. They conducted a survey of over 2,000 people and found that:
- Only 10% of survey respondents had a strong understanding of how crypto asset investing works. This is concerning, as one of the main draws of crypto is its high risk, high reward potential.
- 19% admitted to investing in crypto asset platforms without doing any research beforehand. Yikes! That’s a risky move.
- 25% of survey respondents indicated that they would like to learn more about crypto, but needed more guidance and education before diving in.
The OBO’s decision to require crypto asset ads to include a capital loss warning was made with the South African public’s best interest in mind.
What Happens Next?
It’s hard to miss the signs that crypto is here to stay, and South African regulators are slowly getting on board. For now, it’s worth keeping an eye out for the new regulations to be rolled out in the near future. By then, you’ll be able to confidently invest in crypto without putting all your eggs in one basket.
Final Words of Advice
When it comes to investing—ahem, speculating—*er, “playing”* with your hard-earned money, know your limits and stick to them! Don’t forget: investing can be risky, and there’s no such thing as a sure thing with crypto. Be sure to conduct thorough research before investing in any kind of asset, and always remember the trusty traveller’s proverb: don’t put all your crypto in one wallet!
