What is the largest Ponzi scheme of all time?
Banks are.
Why?
—Both rely on a continuous flow of new participants (depositors or investors) to sustain their operations
—Both involve the management of third-party funds and investments.
If all investors withdraw the funds invested (bank run) the business collapses.
Just because banks are regulated does not mean they are not a Ponzi, in fact they are highly regulated for that reason.