Risk warnings

1. You can lose all of it

Crypto prices rise and fall fast and without warning. A coin can lose most or all of its value. Only trade what you can afford to lose.

2. No protection scheme

Coins held on Afrippa are not bank deposits. They are not covered by deposit insurance, investor compensation or similar schemes.

Afrippa holds traders' coins together in its own wallets and records each trader's share in its books. If Afrippa failed, getting your coins back could be delayed, and is not guaranteed. How traders' coins would be protected in that case is still being confirmed with lawyers.

3. Payment fraud

• Fake payment proofs: screenshots, texts and emails can be forged. Check your own banking app.
• Payments from someone else: money from an account not in the buyer's name may be stolen and taken back later.
• Payments taken back: some services let the payer reverse a payment after you released the coins.
• Anyone asking you to trade outside an order, or to release first, is probably a fraudster.

4. Blockchain transactions are final

Coins sent to a wrong address or on a wrong network usually cannot be recovered. Networks can be slow, congested or interrupted.

5. Your account

If someone gets your password and codes, they may be able to take your coins. Use a strong password and two-step sign-in, beware of fake Afrippa sites and messages, and never share your codes.

6. Rules change

Laws on crypto differ by country and change. Afrippa may have to limit or stop service in a country, and you may owe tax on your trades. Find out what applies where you live.

7. No advice

Afrippa does not give financial, investment, legal or tax advice, and does not tell you whether to buy or sell. Ask an independent adviser if you are unsure.