it's a valid lesson. i've seen it happen in many walks of life: a link in the chain gets arrested and jailed, or retires and this then puts all the other links after themselves out of business.
if that were to happen to an IOP no matter how good, and they couldnt find another network they usually turn to just taking the money sent in by the already build up reputation.
not saying this is always the case, but definitely seems to be a reoccuring theme...
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