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The flawed logic behind saying 'it can't be a scam'

Crypto Controversy | Survivorship Bias and Scam Dismissals Exposed

By

Alice Chen

Apr 25, 2025, 08:47 PM

Edited By

Yuki Tanaka

Updated

Apr 26, 2025, 09:48 PM

2 minutes to read

A satisfied person holding cash while smiling, symbolizing luck and the misconception of scams
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A growing conflict among people highlights skepticism towards specific crypto investments. Heated discussions on forums reveal a gap between profits and acknowledgment of potential scams, prompting claims that personal success means a project isn't a scam. Yet, many counter these assertions with critical insights.

The Current Climate

The crypto community is buzzing, particularly among those claiming benefits from dubious projects. Many argue that, because they profited, it can't be a scam. However, this perspective raises eyebrows, as skepticism runs deep in user boards, revealing contrary views on this mentality.

Core Themes Emerging

  1. Emotional Investment: People resist acknowledging their involvement in questionable ventures, vigorously defending their positions. "They are the lambs to the slaughter," one commenter stated.

  2. Survivorship Bias: A mindset thrives among those who assume their success is a common outcome. Comments like, "Nearly everyone who has bought Bitcoin in the past 15 years is up right now," reflect a tendency to ignore those who have lost.

  3. Risk of Collapse: Discussions center on potential Ponzi schemes, noting that such schemes can be profitable until they inevitably collapse, as highlighted by comments emphasizing the risks masked by temporary successes: "Ponzi schemes are profitable until they collapse. Just because some are making money doesn’t mean it isn't a scam."

"What would happen if everyone wanted to sell? Not everyone could be up; most would end up losing money."

Fresh Insights from the Forum

  • Conflicts of Interest: Commentary on the forums suggests that advocates for Bitcoin often have ulterior motives, with comments hinting that not all advice is unbiased.

  • Emotional Defense: Users defending their investments often resort to defensive reasoning, as one stated, "If disliking things makes someone depressed, then literally all of humanity is depressed."

  • Realities of Returns: Users on the boards frequently challenge gold-standard profitability, suggesting that the allure of consistently increasing prices is misleading: "It’s still early but prices won’t do much from here."

Key Takeaways

  • ◀️ Emotional investment can cloud judgment on risky ventures.

  • ◀️ Survivorship bias fuels misleading narratives on investment outcomes.

  • ◀️ Ponzi schemes can yield profits until they inevitably fall apart.

As discussions evolve, the tension between individual profit and ethical implications continues to fuel the debate on crypto investments. Expect these dialogues to expand in the coming weeks.