All the signs, however, were there. Like previous bubbles, people were basing their belief in the cryptocurrency on their emotions, not any intrinsic value. Then there was the FOMO element, which only compounded things. Essentially, bitcoin became an international fever. Random companies were “pivoting to blockchain” for no apparent reason other than that it seemed like a way to create buzz. But when the bubble bursts, FOMO turns into fear of losing, which makes for an especially rapid plunge.
More broadly, the U.S. has been slow to issue regulatory guidance for cryptocurrency businesses. The industry has generally appreciated regulators' care and caution to avoid hampering innovation or overregulating something so misunderstood, but the lack of clarity has also become restrictive for many looking to operate, develop, and grow their products and services. But Zhao appears to be undaunted by that.

— Elizabeth Goodman is joining Husch Blackwell Strategies to launch its Phoenix office as a principal. She previously was a partner at Christian Goodman PLC.
Cryptocurrency trading is a new, and growing, feature of the crypto world. Trading is separate from crypto’s use as a monetary system. Instead, users buy and sell cryptocurrencies as they would buy and sell shares of a company. Purchasing stock grants gives you ownership in a company, whereas purchasing a token grants you ownership of that cryptocurrency. In the U.S. tax system, cryptocurrency transactions are viewed in the same way as stock trading transactions. This reflects how most users are making money from the crypto world.