Accredited Investors and Ethereum’s Upcoming Switch

It’s an exciting time for cryptocurrency right now, even with markets in the doldrums. That’s because Ethereum’s transition to proof of stake is now only a few days away, while elsewhere the powers that be are still struggling to figure out how they can control the crypto industry. In this week’s highlights from Coin Bureau’s YouTube channel, we take a look at both of these developing situations and what they might mean for the future of crypto and the wider financial landscape.   Ever since the great depression almost a century ago, those in power in the US and elsewhere have sought to limit the ordinary person’s access to certain types of high-risk, high-reward investment vehicles such as company funding rounds or stocks before the list publicly. However, for a privileged few, no such restrictions apply. These are the so-called ‘accredited investors’ and, before you ask, there’s no test you can take or course you can study to become one. You simply have to be rich - that is, in the US at any rate, you have to have an income north of $200k a year, a net worth of over $1 million (excluding your main residence) and/or be an executive in a company selling its equity. Others need not apply.   What this creates is a system whereby the rich are able to get even richer and everyone else has to try their luck buying publicly-listed stocks and other assets like cryptocurrencies, for instance. But the huge gains many have made on crypto, coupled with the volatility of most coins and tokens, have got authorities worried that the status quo may be in danger of being upset. Governments across the world are now taking steps to limit their citizens’ access to cryptocurrencies and it’s a contagion that’s likely to spread.    Part two of this episode then focuses on Ethereum’s upcoming switch to proof of stake, one of the most hotly-anticipated and significant events in the history of crypto. After many delays and a lot of hard work by Vitalik and the rest of the Ethereum team, the transition is now scheduled for mid-September and the stakes could not be higher. The crypto industry is holding its breath waiting to see how it goes and what the post-merge future will look like. What you’ll hear is a breakdown of everything you need to know.    We hope you enjoy the show.   Producer for iHeartMedia: Noel Brown Editor: Semir MutapcicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.