user1878: Mt Gox is the dominant Exchange that handles BTC to USD conversions.  Given the recent spike in price, and that Mt Gox is the primary exchange that publishes this price, it's conceivable that a second set of books could be used to manipulate the public -vs- non-published value of the coins.

What are the methods in which an Exchange can steal from its customers? (dual set of books, etc)
How can consumers and businesses protect themselves from exchange based fraud?


user153: Each jurisdiction has varying regulations for varying industries.  
In some jurisdictions, for instance, a financial brokerage has regulations requiring segregation of funds so that the financial insolvency of the brokerage wouldn't impact customer's funds.
Bitcoin exchanges might not fall under existing regulation, depending on jurisdiction.  
So it is best to consider funds deposited with an exchange as being an open account with the operator.  This means to not assume that a segregation of funds exists and instead that funds deposited are simply a debt that the exchange owes to the account holder.
For this reason, it is likely financially risky to store funds with an exchange or E-Wallet provider located in a jurisdiction other than your own.

user4754: It's possible that, at any time, the exchanges could close down and keep all your coins. I doubt the larger exchanges would do this but smaller rogue operators could essentially fold up and take everything. But then again -as seen in Cyprus- banks can do the same thing!

user1878: One way an exchange could prove that it is liquid is to move all the funds from one address to another, and publish the transactionID.  This would be visible in the block chain.

1878: <p>Mt Gox is the dominant Exchange that handles BTC to USD conversions.  Given the recent spike in price, and that Mt Gox is the primary exchange that publishes this price, it's conceivable that a second set of books could be used to manipulate the public -vs- non-published value of the coins.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>What are the methods in which an Exchange can steal from its customers? (dual set of books, etc)</p></li>
<li><p>How can consumers and businesses protect themselves from exchange based fraud?</p></li>
</ul>
 153: <p>Each jurisdiction has varying regulations for varying industries.  </p>

<p>In some jurisdictions, for instance, a financial brokerage has regulations requiring segregation of funds so that the financial insolvency of the brokerage wouldn't impact customer's funds.</p>

<p>Bitcoin exchanges might not fall under existing regulation, depending on jurisdiction.  </p>

<p>So it is best to consider funds deposited with an exchange as being an open account with the operator.  This means to not assume that a segregation of funds exists and instead that funds deposited are simply a debt that the exchange owes to the account holder.</p>

<p>For this reason, it is likely financially risky to store funds with an exchange or E-Wallet provider located in a jurisdiction other than your own.</p>
 4754: <p>It's possible that, at any time, the exchanges could close down and keep all your coins. I doubt the larger exchanges would do this but smaller rogue operators could essentially fold up and take everything. But then again -as seen in Cyprus- banks can do the same thing!</p>
 1878: <p>One way an exchange could prove that it is liquid is to move all the funds from one address to another, and publish the transactionID.  This would be visible in the block chain.</p>
