JoelKatz's offer still seems like the easiest way to build more trust. Legally binding non-disclosure agreement forms are freely available on the web, and I'm sure there are forms that can be filled out and signed electronically. What could be easier than that?
NDA could be and had been ignored in some cases. But given that Joel has his face there, and if I'm not mistaken, him being the same JoelKatz active in other projects, I don't think he would want to his name and reputation just to steal a machine. So asicminer really has no reason to fear letting Joel Katz know just a bit of information, unless he knows there isn't a working prototype of any sorts.
Right, and JoelKatz is only asking to verify information that he *already* knows and which is entirely public at this point. If there is anything about this asic machine that is truly a secret, it probably doesn't need to be disclosed in the exchange. He is merely asking to confirm that this group has the relevant know-how to manufacture such a machine (or even build a prototype). If this isn't a scam, his offer is really a no-brainer to help verify its legitimacy, and skepticism is warranted so long as they don't take him up on it (or offer some suitable alternative). It's a little hard to believe that asicminer didn't forsee the skeptical reaction. We are expected to hand over $3k on the basis of a website with very sketchy details? Really?