Do you think a negative comment on the Casascius profile is fair?

[alandelon]

While browsing online, I came across the profile of the creator of Casascius coins. I noticed that the user ChiBitCTy left a negative comment last year (2025), referring to a purchase made around 2014 that apparently was not received. Unfortunately, the comment doesn’t provide many details.

Back in 2013–2014, 0.3 BTC was worth only about $20–$30, so the financial value at the time was relatively small. We also know that Mike had to step away from Casascius due to legal and regulatory issues related to funded coins and AML regulations.

It feels somewhat surprising to see a negative rating appear after roughly 13 years. Personally, it seems a bit unfair to judge a transaction from so long ago, especially given the historical context.

I truly admire Mike Caldwell and what he created. Casascius coins were a masterpiece and contributed enormously to Bitcoin’s early culture and adoption, alongside other respected creators like Lealana and Denarium.

This post is not meant to start any conflict — it’s simply an observation that caught my attention.
Out of curiosity: is it even possible to remove or revise an old negative comment on a Casascius profile?

What are your thoughts?
post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;u=2676

[alandelon]

I found these screenshots shared by the user as part of his statement, and I’m leaving them here for others to read.

Personally, I believe more evidence should be presented to properly verify whether the claim is 100% accurate. Accusations without supporting proof can be problematic.

That said, if Bitcoin had never become what it is today, those 0.3 BTC would have been largely insignificant. However, with today’s value — nearly $20,000 — the situation understandably feels very different.

[MoparMiningLLC]

I am sure chi will chime in eventually - but my understanding it was because while he had to step back from selling funding coins - Mike had left his site up and was taking orders (payments) while never shipping the coins. The site was - from my understanding - left up and running for years. Who knows how many orders never went fulfilled after being paid for.

[alandelon]

I am sure chi will chime in eventually - but my understanding it was because while he had to step back from selling funding coins - Mike had left his site up and was taking orders (payments) while never shipping the coins. The site was - from my understanding - left up and running for years. Who knows how many orders never went fulfilled after being paid for.

Is it possible that this is still real and active to this day? It allowed me to enter information and make a payment… I think many people paid those 0.39… I believe it should have been taken down, but I still think the negative rating is unnecessary.

[killyou73]

That's been a known grievance from chi for a long time now. It's been brought up before. Can't tell you which sub topic or thread

[rat03gopoh]

Whether you consider it fair or not, feedback is unmoderated. After all, regardless of its value, a loss is still a loss, and that's precisely what the feedback system is designed to do. If you don't trust someone's feedback, simply ignore it. Or create a counter (neutral) piece of feedback as a personal reminder.

[hybridsole]

Is it possible that this is still real and active to this day? It allowed me to enter information and make a payment… I think many people paid those 0.39… I believe it should have been taken down, but I still think the negative rating is unnecessary.

How is it unnecessary?  If you pay for a product listed as available on a website, and they just took the money and never followed up with a response or delivering the product, a negative rating would be exactly what should happen.  People give negative trust over much more minor grievances. 

I remember visiting the Casascius site over 10 years ago and thinking it was interesting these products were still for sale. I even went so far as to start the checkout process (back when 0.39 BTC was only a couple hundred dollars). Luckily I did not, but how was anyone supposed to know? And how many others besides Chi have lost 0.39 BTC because of this oversight? 

I don't distrust Mike or his coins (his contributions are legendary and can't really be overstated), but he is at fault here. To continue accepting funds and giving the impression that actual products are for sale is negligent, especially when there is no recourse for the buyer. 

[Vod]

As we are seeing with the Trump-Epstein files, some injustices can take years to be brought to light.   

[yahoo62278]

It sucks to see a legend such as Mike to be tagged, but I would have to agree with the feedback if it happened. Mike has an obligation to fulfill orders on the website or stop taking orders when he decided to step back.

I have interacted with Chi off and on for the last few years and I don't consider him to be a liar, so I would say his story has some merit. He also states he has proof in the form of screenshots and possibly emails, maybe he could post those for more credibility.

I doubt anyone else tags the profile and it doesn't look like he even visits the forum any longer. Last logged in Dec 2023 and last posted in 2017.

[DireWolfM14]

That said, if Bitcoin had never become what it is today, those 0.3 BTC would have been largely insignificant. However, with today’s value — nearly $20,000 — the situation understandably feels very different.

It's 0.39BTC, over $27k in today's market.  However, ChiBit was willing to spend that bitcoin on some aluminum coins that certainly wouldn't be worth $27k today.  The best case scenario is he would have gotten his money back, but worrying about past transfer rates in today's market is great way to driver yourself crazy.

I am sure chi will chime in eventually - but my understanding it was because while he had to step back from selling funding coins - Mike had left his site up and was taking orders (payments) while never shipping the coins. The site was - from my understanding - left up and running for years. Who knows how many orders never went fulfilled after being paid for.

Is it possible that this is still real and active to this day? It allowed me to enter information and make a payment… I think many people paid those 0.39… I believe it should have been taken down, but I still think the negative rating is unnecessary.

It is interesting the site is still up and working, seems more like a phishing expedition these days.  I can't imagine anyone paying 0.39BTC for aluminum coins.

Regardless, it's unfortunate, but the negative tag seems absolutely necessary.  Even though I can't imagine anyone going through with the purchase today, you never know how collectables can grow in value in the future.  Someone might see the site still up and think that 0.39BTC is a bargain.

[Shishir99]

It's not a matter of fair or unfair. It doesn't matter how small the amount was. If someone got scammed for a penny, they have the right to tag the scammer, even if it happened unintentionally. If the person who received the tag cares about their forum reputation, they should settle it with the person who ordered the product. ChiBitCTy has every right to tag that account if he was scammed. As I said, if that person actually cares about their reputation, they should talk to ChiBitCTy and solve the case. Since he has been inactive for a while, I don't think he will come back just to check it.

[JollyGood]

I just checked, the site is still active and that is the most concerning part. As long as the website is active there is always going to be a chance that someone might pay for something in good faith yet will never receive the items they ordered. It will be interesting to read any comments from ChiBitCTy in this thread and even more if the casascius account posts after a number of years away.

I am sure chi will chime in eventually - but my understanding it was because while he had to step back from selling funding coins - Mike had left his site up and was taking orders (payments) while never shipping the coins. The site was - from my understanding - left up and running for years. Who knows how many orders never went fulfilled after being paid for.

[OgNasty]

I just checked, the site is still active and that is the most concerning part. As long as the website is active there is always going to be a chance that someone might pay for something in good faith yet will never receive the items they ordered. It will be interesting to read any comments from ChiBitCTy in this thread and even more if the casascius account posts after a number of years away.

It does seem a bit messed up that the site is still up.  Seems Mike owes an explanation at least.  Maybe he lost the ability to update the site and his hands are tied?  Anyone want to track down who is hosting the site and maybe they could be contacted to take it down?  Seems irresponsible for all parties involved that the site is still up, not to mention a legal liability. 

I would be curious to know the transaction that was sent and the value of that transaction at the time.  Maybe some people here would be interested in making it right.  However, if this is a case of spending BTC at a lower value and then wanting your BTC back a decade later due to the value increase of the BTC, there isn't much that can be done.  A reminder that 1 BTC does not equal 1 BTC.

[ChiBitCTy]

I don’t care who it is, if they do shady shit, ima call them out. My reputation speaks for itself, and it’s a lot higher than his. So he created an early physical btc..so I shouldn’t call him out? I thought it over for years. Long over due . Fuck Mike Caldwell, his multitude of personal airplanes, mega mansion, and their dog house his fake influencer
Wife (yes, she bought a few hundred k’s fake accounts, and is made fun of by OG collectors constantly for how fake she is and much of a sell out he became) that she once said “a house probably bigger than yours / you can’t afford , I mean I can dig that video up if ya want).

Caldwell conceptualized BIP38, cryptographer (obviously) , has kept his account alive (paid his renewals , has made site changes, yet leaves coins for sale , for YEARS when they were not. A man who made thousands of coins and no known mistakes of any kind w key generation..doesn’t know coins are hitting his wallets? What did Satoshi always say? Never destroy a wallet, always keep them..he did, he knew.

Again, fuck him.

Thanks to my buddies for backing up my integrity here (look at my feedback history, my scam busting (never been wrong ) and ask yourself , seem like the kinda dude to just make shit up?

Case closed

[ChiBitCTy]

I just checked, the site is still active and that is the most concerning part. As long as the website is active there is always going to be a chance that someone might pay for something in good faith yet will never receive the items they ordered. It will be interesting to read any comments from ChiBitCTy in this thread and even more if the casascius account posts after a number of years away.

It does seem a bit messed up that the site is still up.  Seems Mike owes an explanation at least.  Maybe he lost the ability to update the site and his hands are tied?  Anyone want to track down who is hosting the site and maybe they could be contacted to take it down?  Seems irresponsible for all parties involved that the site is still up, not to mention a legal liability.  

I would be curious to know the transaction that was sent and the value of that transaction at the time.  Maybe some people here would be interested in making it right.  However, if this is a case of spending BTC at a lower value and then wanting your BTC back a decade later due to the value increase of the BTC, there isn't much that can be done.  A reminder that 1 BTC does not equal 1 BTC.

I sent BTC, he received btc , simple as that (never liked the 1 corn = 1 corn saying either)

A double post, man can tell how long it’s been since I’ve been active , sorry mods

[Shishir99]

Thanks to my buddies for backing up my integrity here (look at my feedback history, my scam busting (never been wrong ) and ask yourself , seem like the kinda dude to just make shit up?

Case closed

You're welcome.

I don't think you're someone who likes reputation board drama. I don't remember seeing one at least. As I said in my post, you have the right to tag anyone if you were scammed. So, you were within your rights, and it doesn't really matter what some random people think about it. It is that guy who owes some explanation about this case, not you.

The more suspicious thing is that the website is still live, and I think people can still order one of the coins and get scammed. This is not a good thing.

[ChiBitCTy]

I am sure chi will chime in eventually - but my understanding it was because while he had to step back from selling funding coins - Mike had left his site up and was taking orders (payments) while never shipping the coins. The site was - from my understanding - left up and running for years. Who knows how many orders never went fulfilled after being paid for.

Is it possible that this is still real and active to this day? It allowed me to enter information and make a payment… I think many people paid those 0.39… I believe it should have been taken down, but I still think the negative rating is unnecessary.

Woah, last time I tried , it did not generate a public key. But I kept checking ,4/5 x a year and was live for AT MINIMUM 3 years, I think longer but I smoke a lot of weed ( a joke, not the smoking part, but it being the reason I can’t remember. My long term memory is incredible , and that’s not a brag (be a pathetic one) but I can’t keep absolutely everything retained like an elephant or an AI machine such a LoyceV). I will try to do the same when I get a work break. I obviously read intro briefly , defended myself (didn’t need to even read it to do so ) and been going through this thread when I get a free mn here and there

[OgNasty]

I just checked, the site is still active and that is the most concerning part. As long as the website is active there is always going to be a chance that someone might pay for something in good faith yet will never receive the items they ordered. It will be interesting to read any comments from ChiBitCTy in this thread and even more if the casascius account posts after a number of years away.

It does seem a bit messed up that the site is still up.  Seems Mike owes an explanation at least.  Maybe he lost the ability to update the site and his hands are tied?  Anyone want to track down who is hosting the site and maybe they could be contacted to take it down?  Seems irresponsible for all parties involved that the site is still up, not to mention a legal liability.  

I would be curious to know the transaction that was sent and the value of that transaction at the time.  Maybe some people here would be interested in making it right.  However, if this is a case of spending BTC at a lower value and then wanting your BTC back a decade later due to the value increase of the BTC, there isn't much that can be done.  A reminder that 1 BTC does not equal 1 BTC.

I sent BTC, he received btc , simple as that (never liked the 1 corn = 1 corn saying either)

A double post, man can tell how long it’s been since I’ve been active , sorry mods

I’m not doubting your story. I believe you. We can all see the site is still up. I think it is just somewhat important that evidence is presented along with this sort of accusation. As a coin maker who has been hit with nearly a decade of false claims, it would be nice if this community required some evidence before branding someone with a scammer tag. I would even be willing to contribute to a recovery effort if it was about the money transferred and not the missing out on appreciation of spent coins. Is it possible to track down a txid?

[ChiBitCTy]

I just checked, the site is still active and that is the most concerning part. As long as the website is active there is always going to be a chance that someone might pay for something in good faith yet will never receive the items they ordered. It will be interesting to read any comments from ChiBitCTy in this thread and even more if the casascius account posts after a number of years away.

It does seem a bit messed up that the site is still up.  Seems Mike owes an explanation at least.  Maybe he lost the ability to update the site and his hands are tied?  Anyone want to track down who is hosting the site and maybe they could be contacted to take it down?  Seems irresponsible for all parties involved that the site is still up, not to mention a legal liability.  

I would be curious to know the transaction that was sent and the value of that transaction at the time.  Maybe some people here would be interested in making it right.  However, if this is a case of spending BTC at a lower value and then wanting your BTC back a decade later due to the value increase of the BTC, there isn't much that can be done.  A reminder that 1 BTC does not equal 1 BTC.

I sent BTC, he received btc , simple as that (never liked the 1 corn = 1 corn saying either)

A double post, man can tell how long it’s been since I’ve been active , sorry mods

I’m not doubting your story. I believe you. We can all see the site is still up. I think it is just somewhat important that evidence is presented along with this sort of accusation. As a coin maker who has been hit with nearly a decade of false claims, it would be nice if this community required some evidence before branding someone with a scammer tag. I would even be willing to contribute to a recovery effort if it was about the money transferred and not the missing out on appreciation of spent coins. Is it possible to track down a txid?

I know you weren’t , and this was years ago. I don’t know how I could provide evidence period beyond what I’ve presented. You don’t get a receipt, even if I had the public key or tx , how can you know it’s his? Etc.  we’ve know each other for a decade now , and I know you know I’m not making a single thing up. I hear ya tho.

[philipma1957]

That said, if Bitcoin had never become what it is today, those 0.3 BTC would have been largely insignificant. However, with today’s value — nearly $20,000 — the situation understandably feels very different.

It's 0.39BTC, over $27k in today's market.  However, ChiBit was willing to spend that bitcoin on some aluminum coins that certainly wouldn't be worth $27k today.  The best case scenario is he would have gotten his money back, but worrying about past transfer rates in today's market is great way to driver yourself crazy.

I am sure chi will chime in eventually - but my understanding it was because while he had to step back from selling funding coins - Mike had left his site up and was taking orders (payments) while never shipping the coins. The site was - from my understanding - left up and running for years. Who knows how many orders never went fulfilled after being paid for.

Is it possible that this is still real and active to this day? It allowed me to enter information and make a payment… I think many people paid those 0.39… I believe it should have been taken down, but I still think the negative rating is unnecessary.

It is interesting the site is still up and working, seems more like a phishing expedition these days.  I can't imagine anyone paying 0.39BTC for aluminum coins.

Regardless, it's unfortunate, but the negative tag seems absolutely necessary.  Even though I can't imagine anyone going through with the purchase today, you never know how collectables can grow in value in the future.  Someone might see the site still up and think that 0.39BTC is a bargain.

If the site will take 0.39 btc today then the guy deserves the tag.

It fact he deserves a lot of tags for not fixing the site.