What Is a Flash Coin? A New Way to Steal Your Crypto?

Have you heard about the Flash Coins?

What…? Yes, these are called Flash Coins — flashy and shiny, but ultimately useless.

While Flash Coins hold no value for legitimate users like you and me, they are a goldmine for scammers.

Although the idea behind Flash Coins was originally positive, scammers have heavily misused it.

What Is a Flash Coin?

Flash coin is a fake coin that replicates the legit coin.

These coins are in any form of crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, or tokens.

These coins are transferred via peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and appear to be real at first. However, they eventually disappear from your wallet because they don’t follow the standard blockchain confirmation protocols.

For example, a legitimate Bitcoin transaction requires six confirmations to be fully processed. Flash Coins, however, don’t follow this process. The transaction may initially appear in your wallet, but because it never receives proper confirmation on the blockchain, the coin vanishes after a short time.

How Flash Coins Are Created?

Flash Coins are typically used for scams, but the creation process behind them is even more fraudulent.

There are a variety of tools in the market claiming to give you any type of Flash coins, whether it is BTC, BNB, etc. Most of them fake demanding upfront money, even showing the video of how their platform creates the flash coins.

Besides these tools, you can make a flash coin simply by making the coin valuable before it hits the confirmation, for example, by sending a Bitcoin transaction to the blockchain, which is supposed to be rerouted after some time. If the confirmation cycle has not yet occurred for that particular transaction, it can be redirected with a Replace-by-fee.

For every coin, the same method is not applicable because each has its own algorithm and attributes.

The second method is simply using “Flash Loan”, “Flash Swapping” or “Flash Loan Arbitrage.” Allowing you to borrow cryptocurrencies without providing any collateral upfront on platforms like Aave or did, conducting quick trades or arbitrage opportunities across multiple platforms, and then repaying the loan within the same transaction.

Flash loans enable users to temporarily access large amounts of liquidity without collateral, allowing for swift and profitable trading strategies.

To create these flash loans, you’ll need a smart contract and deploy them in the platform, which is connected to the wallet.

How to Identify Flash Coins?

It is hard for someone who doesn’t know the existence of flash coins to identify the difference between the real ones and flash.

I wasn’t aware of their existence until a friend showed me his wallet balance, which contained USDT he couldn’t withdraw. Even when he sent it to me, I couldn’t access it.

Then, I go to Uniswap to swap it, but surprisingly it won’t swap. So you cannot swap the flash coins.

Or you can wait some time. Typically, you know the time frame of a particular coin transaction becomes valid if you wait for that time period. If coins do not disappear, then it is legit.

How Do Flash Coins Scam Work?

Flash Coins are sent through peer-to-peer transactions, such as meeting in person or using chat apps like Telegram or websites.

For my friend, flash coins are sent as an installment for the get-rich-quick scheme, which promises double the investment in just a year!

The coins were sent through a wallet app, but they couldn’t be used or withdrawn.

Other than this P2P trading can also happen off the app or website. Traders can directly interact with each other on a messaging platform like Telegram, negotiate terms, and trade cryptocurrency with each other like they would on an official platform or exchange.

How to Avoid Flash Coin Scams

Trade With the People You Trust

This simple step not only avoids becoming a victim of the Flash Coins but also of other scams.

In the p2p exchange, make sure to read the reviews or feedback from the other person who previously traded with you.

Even the risk of them scamming you cannot be ruled out, but it’s a better chance to take than doing business with a stranger or someone you barely know.

Use Blockchain Address

You can use Blockchain Explorer for further investigation of the seller by asking them for their hash ID or copying their address and pasting it on the Explorer.

It will show the transaction process and tell you whether it is invalid or valid.

Use Reputed Exchange Offering P2P

In a reputable and popular exchange, traders are vetted, and the resolutions will likely be handled better.

Ask For a Priority Fee

Priority fee is the fee traders will bear if transactions have to be confirmed quickly.

If you’re trading with an unfamiliar user, ask them for a priority fee. If the person is genuine, they will not hesitate to buy a nominal fee.

Final Thought…

As I mentioned earlier, Flash Coins were originally created with good intentions. They could have been used as a learning tool or a way for beginners to experience cryptocurrency transactions.

Unfortunately, scammers have taken over, turning them into instruments of deception.

Although Flash Coins still have potential for educational purposes, the misuse by fraudsters overshadows any benefits they may offer.

What Is a Flash Coin? A New Way to Steal Your Crypto? was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.