So, we assume they're going to commit some type of fraud or crime up front so they have to submit to posting bond, but the investors are supposed to trust them with another half million. Or, as you put it, a few coins. Wow, in your world a half million is a few coins. You live in a universe different than mine.
Fraud or criminal elements are not required. Old fashioned screw ups and security lapses do the job of losing other people's money just fine too. The bond requirements are just a method of basic consumer protection. Money transfers are a serious business with serious consequences, if your investors don't trust you with either the funds for the bond or the payments on a surety bond, you really are in the wrong business.
A surety bond means you only have to pay a small portion of the total. It's similar to insurance. You pay a company with larger resources to vouch for you in case you have a problem. Instead of ponying up (the refundable) $500K you pay something like $25k. You don't get it all back if you close up shop, but you didn't need to put much capital out there. This is how a lot if not most licensing bonds work.
