[T]he idea that the promotion of crypto thus far has existed to allow early adopters to cash out at the apparent expense of later adopters, while bringing essentially no other utility to any of its backers or the public at large, is pretty obvious.
By your definition, every successful stock on the planet is a ponzi scheme
High investment returns with little or no risk. --- Not true.
Overly consistent returns --- Not true.
Unregistered investments --- True in some cases, not true in others.
Unlicensed sellers --- same as above.
Secretive or complex strategies --- Not true.
Issues with paperwork --- Not true
Difficulty receiving payments --- Not true. Actually irrelevant.
The sales personnel or adviser are overly pushy or aggressive. --- Not true. Actually irrelevant. Not bitcoin or ethereum sales personnel or advisers exist.
The initial contact took place by a cold call or through a social network, a language-based radio or a religious radio advertisement. --- This one is a tough one since there are definitely devotees that likely were vital in the initial spread. In most cases people probably came into contact with crypto through the mainstream media though.
The client cannot determine the actual trades or investments that have been carried out. --- Not true
The clients are asked to write checks with a different name than the name of the corporation (such as an individual) or to send checks to a different address than the corporate address. --- Not true. Actually irrelevant.
Once the maturity date of their investment arrives, clients are pressured to roll over the principal and the profits. --- Not true. Also irrelevant.