Saturday, August 25, 2007

Look Out Virtual Worlds….Here Comes The US Congress





The multitude of in house banking, loan and ‘virtual’ financial services coupled with secondary markets disconnected from the primary game webs already creates a big problem for any agency trying to wrangle this virtual bronco.


I’ve been keeping an eye on Sparter’s new Gamer2Gamer market for virtual currency, along with the 5 new virtual banking licenses just sold at Entropia Universe and even the rumored ‘closer look’ by the Feds at possible violation of the UIGEA by Second Life. Its a brave new virtual world out there.


I hope that, unlike the digital currency industry, virtual gaming companies are spending on lawyers and lobbyist to bolster some helpful support before any possible regulatory hammer falls.


Bottom line…go easy on the new virtual economies and let them grow! Big government has already put the fix in for online gambling, please steer clear of the virtual worlds.

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Second Life Gives Up Gambling

For many months now I’ve been following the growth of virtual currencies around the globe. Because most ‘virtual currency’ such as the Linden Dollar are convertible into national currency, its of vital importance to monitor the future growth of this industry. Possible taxation, regulation, trading restrictions or outright prohibition are all genuine threats to not just virtual currency but other currently unregulated ‘digital currency’.


On April 5th I took a rather sarcastic look at how certain government agencies were looking at Second Life for their gambling, Is Linden Lab (Second Life) Violating The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act?


This past week, Forbes is reporting that Second Life has dropped all forms of gambling due to the FBI’s advice.


Following an FBI investigation, Linden Labs has banned all forms of gambling from Second Life, according to a posting on the company’s blog. Linden Labs had announced in April that it was cooperating with FBI scrutiny of the virtual world, including law enforcement officials’ visits to the game’s casinos.


The company blog didn’t reveal to what degree the ban was mandated by the FBI, saying only that “Linden Lab and Second Life residents must comply with state and federal laws applicable to regulated online gambling” and threatening to remove players and objects from the game that violate the new policy.


Interested in learning more about Second Life? Visit their community portal, its very informative and you might be amazing at all they have going on!

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Virtual Game Currency Is Quickly Becoming ‘Bankable’ In The Real World


Second LifeLook at these amazing numbers! On March 14, 2007, Second Life had just over 34,000 new sign ups. That day pushed their numbers up to 4,618,916 total members. Wow, 4.6 million members.


During that day, the average number of users online at one time was 25,330 members. Lots of money changing hands!!


A typical banking day in Second Life. *http://www.secondlifeinsider.com/


Take a look at March 9, 2007 where the exchange rate was about 270 Linden Dollars to $1 USD:



  • Spent $1,484,000 at an exchange rate of L$269.7 to US$1

  • Exchanged $236,000 at an average of $9,800 per hour.

  • Market buys were $190,000

  • Market sales were $45,000

  • Limit-limit buys were $1,400

  • The busiest time was at 2pm when about $18,000 was exchanged.

  • The quietest time was 6am when about $5,000 was exchanged.


Now take a quick look at the six real-world banks that maintain a virtual shop in Second Life such as ING’s Virtual Holland !


Sep. 2005: Wells Fargo is the first real-world bank with a presence in Second Life (SL)

Dec. 2005: Wells Fargo leaves SL, moving its Stagecoach Island to a new platform (see previous coverage here)

7 Dec 2006: ABN Amro becomes first European bank in SL (press release here)

7 Jan 2007: BNP Paribas opens a small test area (post here)

7 Feb 2007: Swiss bank BCV opens its doors in SL (press release here)

21 Feb 2007: ING Bank launches website and blog to get users involved in building what it calls Our Virtual Holland

2 Mar 2007: Danish Saxo Bank announces plans to create trading platform in SL (Reuters article here)


Clearly in such an unregulated environment, there is money to be made from banking and currency exchange.

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Is Linden Lab (Second Life) Violating The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act?

Processing online gambling payments is illegal for any US company. We’ve all read about the UIGEA (.pdf) and I’ve posted about the perils of this before. But now….the feds seem to be taking a closer look at Linden Lab for their role in the ‘payment processing’ in Second Life’s virtual casinos!


Yes, its true, Osama Bin Laden is still walking around a free man, but according to Cnet News, the Federal Government, by way of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern California, seems to be pondering whether Second Life could be considered in the wrong by ‘processing’ virtual money transactions for their online virtual casinos!


Ginsu Yoon, who is Linden Lab’s current vice president for business affairs, said “We have invited the FBI several times to take a look around in Second Life and raise any concerns they would like, and we know of at least one instance that federal agents did look around in a virtual casino.”


Yoon said the company was seeking guidance on virtual gaming activity in Second Life but had not yet received clear rules from U.S. authorities. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern California declined to comment.


Most people will agree that since players can exchange Linden Dollars for actual US dollars that gambling with Linden Dollars in any one of Second Life’s hundreds of casinos offering poker, slot machines and blackjack …might actually be a crime. Consequently, would Linden Lab, who handles transactions for the Linden Dollar may be considered ‘processing payments’ for online gambling.


Attorney Sean Kane, a legal expert on the issues of virtual worlds at New York’s Drakeford & Kane had this to say, “If you’re buying money on the Lindex (a virtual currency exchange) and utilizing it for gambling purposes, Linden could have a much higher level of responsibility,” he added. “If they would be found in violation, that’s difficult to say, but I can see a much stronger case being made.”


PLEASE……….aren’t there better ways for governments to spend valuable law enforcement resources than going after a $1500 dollar a month virtual money virtual casino? Next I’m going to read that Second Life Casinos now have to be licensed out of Belize or Costa Rica to offer action!


Wow, digital money and virtual money are just so new to the world I suppose that any part they plays in online commerce will always be suspect.

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World’s First Virtual Currency Banking Licenses Issued At Entropia Universe

Entropia Universe


MindArk PE AB, the company responsible for the virtual world Entropia Universe has just announced the new owners of 5 virtual banking licenses.


The ‘virtual licenses’ were auctioned off by MindArk and after months of bidding (since Jan.), and the five licensed sold for over $400,000. An amazing price in real USD considering these licenses are for fictional banking in a virtual online world.


The auction winners are all very different personalities including: a Entropia Universe ‘celebrity’ virtual night club owner, one real world entrepreneur, a Russian Internet Payment Provider and one person who represents an actual real world bank (to be announced at a later date). Prices ranged from just over $59,000 to as high as $95,000 per license.


Each license is a virtual agreement which allows the holder a two-year exclusive license to integrate real world banking systems into Entropia Universe.


The virtual world of Entropia Universe is the ONLY online virtual world which pegs their ‘game currency’ to a fixed rate with the US dollar. Consequently, any virtual currency obtained while in the fantasy world can be quickly and easily withdrawn in US dollars. They even offer a debit card. I wonder if they will have an Anti-Virtual-Money Laundering Policy?


The Linden Dollar, which is another popular virtual currency from Second Life, has a floating value when converting the L$ back into real cash. You can find that fluctuating bid/ask exchange rate on the SL Exchange and other similar webs.


These new bank licenses will offer the holders a secure platform within the virtual world to loan money and collect interest. Bank operators can design their own online bank building and utilize the Universe’s extensive advertising opportunities. The bank’s avatars [employees] will interact as service professionals attending to other avatar’s [customers] banking needs. What’s the catch? Each license holder must provide his operation initial working capital of $100,000 real money.


Entropia Universe has set several world records for sales of virtual ‘property’ including a Treasure Island ($26,500) and an asteroid based space resort ($100,000).


Entropia Universe started in 2003 and has just under 600,000 registered accounts. Last year, 2006, they cash flowed around $360,000,000 in USD. Or 3.6 billion PED, their virtual currency.


Correction: The blog post originally showed last years cash flow at just $360,000 not million. Its correct above, 360 million USD.

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PSuX Officially Declared Dead 18 Months After It Really Died

Wanted: Henry James Banayat

A year and a half ago I introduced this blog to PointShareXtreme, only it was called PointShareGold back then. I was still pretty green to the HYIP industry and was jumping on anything that looked remotely promising. At the same time I was getting my proverbial butt kicked by HYIPs. So, when PSX stopped paying and starting a long, slow road to changes I was more than happy to wait and jump through hoops, as long as it didn’t cost me any more money. I posted what was going on at this blog until we were told we were under a gag order. Even then I continued to jump through the hoops and even notified everyone that had joined under me what those hoops were.


Well, this weekend Henry James Banayat finally announced the demise of his “vision.” Did he take any blame? NO! Did he apologize for any of the failed promises? NO!! Did he at least apologize for stringing everyone along for so long? NO!!! What he displayed this weekend was the most egotistical, narcissistic exit that I have seen, yet. (That includes the egotistical, narcissistic exit that Bobby Krimm pulled.)


Here are the two posts at the mothership site, Compumatrix and Network Interactive, Inc (CNII):


A Message from the CEO

Written by Administrator

Friday, 10 August 2007


PointShareXtreme is paying and will continue to pay. Unlike any other program, we have been paying members with prepaid load credits that can be converted into cash in several ways. This is the only program that has combined powerful concepts such as the prepaid industry, internet marketing/online advertising and e-Shopping. Only PSX funds can be used to purchase these e-products and avail our e-services. We are never a High Yield Investment Program or a get-rich-quick scheme. Our business plan had always been focused on sales and marketing, provision of jobs for people worldwide (working as Independent Internet Marketing Associates) and ensuring growth of small and medium enterprises. However, I am sad that the forum feels neglected just for the fact that our company are taking every measure to ensure the programs longevity. Our company are making things possible and are focused on ensuring that with the tremendous growth of this program, all members should have been trained, equipped and educated with our business plan, marketing plans and how or why our program will work and benefit a lot of people.


What was seen in negative forums are pointless allegations. Our company is well aware of the fact that the NBI is indeed trying to pull this program down by hitting the President and Founder of Compumatrix. Compumatrix manages PSX and other websites that are envisioned to assist people from every walk of life. If you were to search online, you would notice that the agent they are dealing with have had a reputation of “selective prosecution.”


It saddens me that our members stopped promoting this program since they thought and always seem to think that it is a High Yield Investment Program. We are not. The company, together with the teleworkers, sell prepaid load packages in the form of packaged online advertising credits, which should allow members to increase their leads, contacts and customer base. That is why we need millions of members worldwide. As of the recent statistics, there are over 1.1 Billion internet usetrs worldwide and our goal is to open up their eyes to the various business opportunities on the internet today and to let them showcase their skills and enhance their knowledge by letting PSX as a venue of informative materials which can be purchased if they have our PSX funds.


We have set our value. But members should respect the value of our funds. It is used to purchase our e-products and e-services. And we will place more goods and services that can be availed in our system especially upon launching our merchant program.


Everyone should think deeper into our long-term vision and be aware that this is a revolutionary system that would eventually change everyones lives, hopes and dreams.


Our company will remain to stay on this path towards that vision of changing the world through caring and sharing. And I hope members realizes that this is not a one-sided program. We need each others support in this venture. We need to fight towards achieving each and everyones goals.


Our company is determined and will see to it that our program will continue to work for each and everyone. Every available balance are attainable if they only start to value it and think of the things that the funds are good for first so that they’d know how to market it properly. All these shall start the moment you decide to accept the changes in the program and walk together towards the long term vision of PointShareXtreme.com.


And:


PointShareXtreme has a vision, like most visionaries throughout history; they are persecuted or worse, killed, before they can fulfill the purpose of that vision. Once the vision is destroyed, it doesn’t matter if it is then appreciated because the visionary is lost and the prosperity that might have been is lost as well.


So much has been said and done to “kill” the vision Henry James Banayat has for his organization, but it is not the efforts of the masses, it is the frantic actions of a “handful” of individuals. Individuals who are either not capable or unwilling to understand the necessity for the organization to evolve in order to keep up with a growing membership.


Since PointShareXtreme.com has opened for membership in the Philippines, there has become an urgent need to evolve. From the beginning, passive membership was permitted. Passive membership was basically, “purchase a plan and wait for the rebates.” In reality, it presented an unbelievable opportunity, “unbelievable but true,” to pay a little and receive a lot with no effort on the part of the passive member. As a result, the number of passive members grew to such a high number, that the funds of the organization were greatly depleted. At this point in time the policies of the organization must change drastically in order to remain stable. It is imperative that members actually start to consider putting forth some effort as well, to ensure the stability of the organization.


As members, we all need to take the initiative to “work” for our own financial future and not let this opportunity die. As it stands now, members that have been working up to this point are not receiving their rebates because passive members are not working at all and not contributing to the success of the organization. Every member, upon requesting membership, signed an application agreeing to two (2) specific points:



  • That I agree to be an independent marketing associate of CNII and I agree to market or sell its products and services under its various programs; and

  • The Company reserves the right to modify, amend and or update its policies and procedures under its pay program for its best interests and that of its members.


Every complaint that has been made has come from a member that has not fulfilled the conditions of the agreement they signed. In reality, what is happening here in the Philippines is the cause for the organization’s instability. It is now the responsibility of Filipino members to rectify the problem by taking responsibility and the initiative to “work” and repair the damage Passive membership has caused. Let’s all be thankful for the prosperity we have experienced thus far and exhaust every effort to ensure the long term prosperity all members have yet to experience.


As you can see, instead of apologizing, Henry did what a lot of scammers do; he blamed it on the members! Well, I lay the blame squarely on his shoulders. I am a bit embarrassed at having been swayed by broken promise after broken promise. It wasn’t that I had put a great deal of money into PSuX. It was more that I had nursed to a $120K virtual account! I, like so many others, let greed get in front of common sense. For that and for not writing about this sooner, I apologize to all NoBS HYIP Blog readers.


Good riddance to Henry James Banayat! I hope justice prevails and you rot in jail thinking about your so-called “vision” and all of the people that you hurt to help no one, except yourself!


One note of personal observation that I must add is that the forum administrators are not to be blamed in this case. In some programs, the forum administrators are in cahoots with the program administrator, but not in this case. They were told more lies than the members were. In the end, they were beaten to a pulp by this program, just like the members were.


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PSuX Officially Declared Dead 18 Months After It Really Died

Wanted: Henry James Banayat

A year and a half ago I introduced this blog to PointShareXtreme, only it was called PointShareGold back then. I was still pretty green to the HYIP industry and was jumping on anything that looked remotely promising. At the same time I was getting my proverbial butt kicked by HYIPs. So, when PSX stopped paying and starting a long, slow road to changes I was more than happy to wait and jump through hoops, as long as it didn’t cost me any more money. I posted what was going on at this blog until we were told we were under a gag order. Even then I continued to jump through the hoops and even notified everyone that had joined under me what those hoops were.


Well, this weekend Henry James Banayat finally announced the demise of his “vision.” Did he take any blame? NO! Did he apologize for any of the failed promises? NO!! Did he at least apologize for stringing everyone along for so long? NO!!! What he displayed this weekend was the most egotistical, narcissistic exit that I have seen, yet. (That includes the egotistical, narcissistic exit that Bobby Krimm pulled.)


Here are the two posts at the mothership site, Compumatrix and Network Interactive, Inc (CNII):


A Message from the CEO

Written by Administrator

Friday, 10 August 2007


PointShareXtreme is paying and will continue to pay. Unlike any other program, we have been paying members with prepaid load credits that can be converted into cash in several ways. This is the only program that has combined powerful concepts such as the prepaid industry, internet marketing/online advertising and e-Shopping. Only PSX funds can be used to purchase these e-products and avail our e-services. We are never a High Yield Investment Program or a get-rich-quick scheme. Our business plan had always been focused on sales and marketing, provision of jobs for people worldwide (working as Independent Internet Marketing Associates) and ensuring growth of small and medium enterprises. However, I am sad that the forum feels neglected just for the fact that our company are taking every measure to ensure the programs longevity. Our company are making things possible and are focused on ensuring that with the tremendous growth of this program, all members should have been trained, equipped and educated with our business plan, marketing plans and how or why our program will work and benefit a lot of people.


What was seen in negative forums are pointless allegations. Our company is well aware of the fact that the NBI is indeed trying to pull this program down by hitting the President and Founder of Compumatrix. Compumatrix manages PSX and other websites that are envisioned to assist people from every walk of life. If you were to search online, you would notice that the agent they are dealing with have had a reputation of “selective prosecution.”


It saddens me that our members stopped promoting this program since they thought and always seem to think that it is a High Yield Investment Program. We are not. The company, together with the teleworkers, sell prepaid load packages in the form of packaged online advertising credits, which should allow members to increase their leads, contacts and customer base. That is why we need millions of members worldwide. As of the recent statistics, there are over 1.1 Billion internet usetrs worldwide and our goal is to open up their eyes to the various business opportunities on the internet today and to let them showcase their skills and enhance their knowledge by letting PSX as a venue of informative materials which can be purchased if they have our PSX funds.


We have set our value. But members should respect the value of our funds. It is used to purchase our e-products and e-services. And we will place more goods and services that can be availed in our system especially upon launching our merchant program.


Everyone should think deeper into our long-term vision and be aware that this is a revolutionary system that would eventually change everyones lives, hopes and dreams.


Our company will remain to stay on this path towards that vision of changing the world through caring and sharing. And I hope members realizes that this is not a one-sided program. We need each others support in this venture. We need to fight towards achieving each and everyones goals.


Our company is determined and will see to it that our program will continue to work for each and everyone. Every available balance are attainable if they only start to value it and think of the things that the funds are good for first so that they’d know how to market it properly. All these shall start the moment you decide to accept the changes in the program and walk together towards the long term vision of PointShareXtreme.com.


And:


PointShareXtreme has a vision, like most visionaries throughout history; they are persecuted or worse, killed, before they can fulfill the purpose of that vision. Once the vision is destroyed, it doesn’t matter if it is then appreciated because the visionary is lost and the prosperity that might have been is lost as well.


So much has been said and done to “kill” the vision Henry James Banayat has for his organization, but it is not the efforts of the masses, it is the frantic actions of a “handful” of individuals. Individuals who are either not capable or unwilling to understand the necessity for the organization to evolve in order to keep up with a growing membership.


Since PointShareXtreme.com has opened for membership in the Philippines, there has become an urgent need to evolve. From the beginning, passive membership was permitted. Passive membership was basically, “purchase a plan and wait for the rebates.” In reality, it presented an unbelievable opportunity, “unbelievable but true,” to pay a little and receive a lot with no effort on the part of the passive member. As a result, the number of passive members grew to such a high number, that the funds of the organization were greatly depleted. At this point in time the policies of the organization must change drastically in order to remain stable. It is imperative that members actually start to consider putting forth some effort as well, to ensure the stability of the organization.


As members, we all need to take the initiative to “work” for our own financial future and not let this opportunity die. As it stands now, members that have been working up to this point are not receiving their rebates because passive members are not working at all and not contributing to the success of the organization. Every member, upon requesting membership, signed an application agreeing to two (2) specific points:



  • That I agree to be an independent marketing associate of CNII and I agree to market or sell its products and services under its various programs; and

  • The Company reserves the right to modify, amend and or update its policies and procedures under its pay program for its best interests and that of its members.


Every complaint that has been made has come from a member that has not fulfilled the conditions of the agreement they signed. In reality, what is happening here in the Philippines is the cause for the organization’s instability. It is now the responsibility of Filipino members to rectify the problem by taking responsibility and the initiative to “work” and repair the damage Passive membership has caused. Let’s all be thankful for the prosperity we have experienced thus far and exhaust every effort to ensure the long term prosperity all members have yet to experience.


As you can see, instead of apologizing, Henry did what a lot of scammers do; he blamed it on the members! Well, I lay the blame squarely on his shoulders. I am a bit embarrassed at having been swayed by broken promise after broken promise. It wasn’t that I had put a great deal of money into PSuX. It was more that I had nursed to a $120K virtual account! I, like so many others, let greed get in front of common sense. For that and for not writing about this sooner, I apologize to all NoBS HYIP Blog readers.


Good riddance to Henry James Banayat! I hope justice prevails and you rot in jail thinking about your so-called “vision” and all of the people that you hurt to help no one, except yourself!


One note of personal observation that I must add is that the forum administrators are not to be blamed in this case. In some programs, the forum administrators are in cahoots with the program administrator, but not in this case. They were told more lies than the members were. In the end, they were beaten to a pulp by this program, just like the members were.


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