The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned investors about fear of missing out (FOMO). “Just because others might buy a particular investment, doesn’t mean it’s the right opportunity for you,” the SEC noted. “We’ve all seen the increased interest in online investing and the explosion of digital assets and meme stocks. Understanding these kinds of investments may seem overwhelming.”
SEC’s FOMO Warning
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy issued a warning on social media platform X Saturday about the risks of fear of missing out (FOMO). This is the fifth piece of advice in a recent series from the agency.
“‘NO GO to FOMO’ (fear of missing out),” the Office wrote, explaining that seeing others invest in a particular investment doesn’t make it the right choice for you. The SEC then urged investors to find out which investments are right for them and their investing goals.
The SEC’s warning post references an article on the regulator’s website about FOMO. The securities watchdog wrote:
We’ve all seen the increased interest in online investing and the explosion of digital assets and meme stocks. Understanding these kinds of investments may seem overwhelming.
“Digital assets include cryptocurrencies, coins, and tokens like those offered in initial coin offerings (ICOs). Meme stocks may be based on internet popularity and social views, instead of a traditional stock value, such as a company’s performance. And, let’s not forget about NFTs (non-fungible tokens),” the SEC cautioned.
The securities regulator’s cautionary statement coincides with its imminent decision on spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). An announcement is anticipated early next week, potentially paving the way for trading of approved spot bitcoin ETFs starting on Jan. 11. Eleven applicants are optimistic about their funds receiving approval. Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, has reportedly lined up over $2 billion for its spot bitcoin ETF launch.
What do you think about the SEC’s FOMO warning as investors anticipate spot bitcoin ETF approvals? Let us know in the comments section below.
