Meme-Manipulation: Towards Reinvigorating the Regulation of Speculative Devices
74:5 American University Law Review; forthcoming 2025
47 Pages Posted: 9 Jan 2025 Last revised: 30 Jan 2025
Date Written: September 01, 2024
Abstract
As Trump Media shares skyrocket by 30% following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the financial world stands as a testament to how meme stocks and social media-driven speculation can create seismic market shifts, often blurring the lines between organic market activity and coordinated, systematic manipulation. In an era where memes dictate market movements and social media influencers wield unprecedented power, the fusion of meme stocks, SPACs, and cryptocurrency speculation has transformed financial markets into volatile arenas. This Article delves into the electrifying world of speculative trading, where viral online campaigns and cutting-edge technologies like Web 3.0 and DeFi create seismic shifts in market dynamics. By exposing how these phenomena stoke the "madness of crowds," destabilize financial fundamentals, and erode trust in regulatory frameworks, this Article scrutinizes current and innovative regulatory strategies. It unveils a roadmap for empowering governmental agencies such as the SEC, CFTC, and self-regulatory organizations like FINRA to tackle this modernday financial Wild West, advocating for heightened vigilance and robust enforcement to protect market integrity and democratic trust in this thrilling new frontier of finance.
Keywords: securities, FinTech, social media, investments, investor protection, financial regulation, fraud, influencers, meme stocks, financial market manipulation, commodities market manipulation, SPAC, cryptocurrency, speculation, volatility, Chevron, Web3.0, addictive technologies MemeSPAC Volatility-Manipulation
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