315投资者保护日｜警惕非法集资陷阱

Group 1 - The article highlights the risks associated with illegal fundraising activities disguised as "financial innovation" and "blockchain," where criminals exploit the public by issuing so-called "virtual currencies" and "digital assets" [1][3]. - Blockchain is defined as a decentralized distributed database technology that ensures information is securely stored and cannot be tampered with through cryptographic techniques [2]. Group 2 - Virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and "air coins," are characterized by being non-government issued, utilizing encryption and distributed ledger technologies, and existing in digital form [5]. - A notice issued by ten departments, including the People's Bank of China and the Supreme People's Court, on September 15, 2021, clarified that virtual currencies do not hold the same legal status as fiat currencies and that related activities are considered illegal financial activities [5].