Are there any laws for touting bitcoins? For instance, what would happen if someone were to do a fake press release saying a new Bitcoin ATM was being setup, Amazon now accepts Bitcoins, or some other story that would send Bitcoin demand soaring.
1. Buy Bitcoins
2. Fake Press Release
3. ????
4. Profit
5. SEC rapes you in the ass?
It could happen to some degree, if the press release can't be verified like Amazon accepting bitcoins. Or if its quickly countered then it couldn't make much of a impact, since the major news outlet wouldn't cover it. As for the SEC, I don't think they have jurisdiction over bitcoins