You connect your crypto wallet to a new platform to access what looks like a rewarding investment opportunity. A screen appears asking you to approve a transaction. You do not fully understand what the approval covers, but the platform looks professional and the opportunity seems time-sensitive. What should you do?

Approving a transaction you do not understand can grant a platform permission to move funds from your wallet without any further action from you. This is how many wallet-draining scams work: the victim connects their wallet and signs something that looks routine, without realizing they have just authorized the platform to take their funds. Think before you swipe. Time pressure is a manipulation tactic, not a feature of legitimate investment platforms. If an approval screen is unclear and the platform cannot or will not explain what you are agreeing to, that is the signal to stop. The S in PAUSE applies directly: stop before you send or sign anything you cannot get back.