There was stated value on both ends of the potential transaction.

And this is Hacker News, not 4chan or Twitter. Comments are for insight, discussion, etc. But maybe you're just young or not very bright.

> It’s nothing of value buying nothing of value

Doesn’t that make it fine? If I trade three acorns for a crayon drawing of a squirrel, that’s a nothing burger. If I bought those three acorns for a million dollars, then someone might have a legitimate gripe with my choices.