RE:Which is it?Well, the "Johny-come-latelys that buys at peak values and dumps 2 days later during a correction and "once burnt, twice shy" description really applies to any stock market and any stock. But that isn't a reflection on the broker that simply carried out the investor's wishes. They simply bought and sold as you demanded, and made a commision. Those brokers need more clients over time to buy and sell in order to grow their business.
Likewise, Netcoins needs more people to use them as a broker if they want to see increasing transaction numbers over time. Binns stating that openly seem completely legit given he has described pretty much the brokerage business for the past 200 years.
The parallel between the pot industry and crypto industry is an interesting one, although not completely on point. An individual deciding to dive into pot and get high, and never see their investment again isn't quite the same as new investors looking to crypto-coins as a way to grow an investment.