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We must protect privacy, even in the face of cryptocurrency crime. As governments crack down on one of the most notorious tools for criminal money laundering in the cryptocurrency world, I’m worried about the ramifications.
Some who know me as a cryptocurrency critic may find these opinions surprising coming from me.
But if you are surprised, I have failed. And I think I have, because I think some of you will be.
@molly0xfff I think the analogy of a hammer is apt. It is not illegal for me to build, buy, or use a hammer. It is illegal for me to use it in a criminal act, like murder or even using it with the intent to build a device meant to cause harm. I think the same should apply to crypto or any tech.
And for those people who argue that "you can't prove intent", I'd just like to point out criminal courts have been in the business of proving intent in these sort of matters since time immemorial.
@zalasur I think perhaps in this case, a better analogy would be that Dutch courts have found Pertsev guilty for selling hammers.
@molly0xfff In certain contexts that's also a crime in the general sense. A financial transaction isn't an impenetrable shield to protect oneself from criminal liability, nor should it be.
@zalasur no. but selling hammers also shouldn’t be broadly criminalized.