Does bitcoin network/wallet use an idenifiable protocol?

[Bernard Lerring]

When I use the Tor network I understand that my ISP can detect that I'm using Tor, but are unaware of the specifics of what I'm doing (market place/secure browsing etc.)

When I use BitTorrent I'm aware that my ISP see that I'm using BitTorrent, but unless I'm in a swarm for the latest movie releases that cost Hollywood money in lost revenue I'm part of the "safety in numbers" brigade. After all, I could be just sharing a Linux distro or large home made project.

What about when I use my electrum wallet? Are my data transmissions transparent enough so that bitcoin movement is logged and dated? Are the amounts moving on and off of the blockchain loggable and auditable to a specific ISP/person?

I'm thinking about the money I've sent to long term cold storage. Should that money turn out to be a good investment in future and at some point two years down the line I decide to cash in will I incur taxes?

I know we can't accurately predict the legal status of a developing medium like bitcoin two years down the line, but I expect lawyers, backed by IRS and Inland Revenue, will have a keen eye on this stiuation.

Any thoughts on how to avoid the corrupt banking/taxation system of plutocracy that makes bitcoin an attractive prospect to the average working person?

[DeathAndTaxes]

Yes.  Today the protocol uses no encryption and static ports.  It would be fairly trivial for an ISP to identify bitcoin data.  Of course similar countermeasures like what are used for bittorent could be built into the protocol.  In the meantime you could use a VPN connection (of course that just moves to point of listening) but you may trust your VPN provider more than your trust your ISP, or at least it is easier to pick another VPN provider than it is to pick another ISP.

[Bernard Lerring]

Thanks. I think it might be a good idea to use a VPN, which could give me protection against whatever taxation system is applied to BTC over the coming era.

Taxman: "What happened to those coins you bought X years ago?"

Me: "Oh, I spend them/traded badly and they're mostly gone."

I'm not against paying my taxes for work and helping pay for the upkeep of the society I live in, but do have reservations towards government/financial wasters. I'd like to see cryptocurrency as an alternative to that and allow people to direct their own savings without these bullies getting involved.

[jl2012]

Thanks. I think it might be a good idea to use a VPN, which could give me protection against whatever taxation system is applied to BTC over the coming era.

Taxman: "What happened to those coins you bought X years ago?"

Me: "Oh, I spend them/traded badly and they're mostly gone."

I'm not against paying my taxes for work and helping pay for the upkeep of the society I live in, but do have reservations towards government/financial wasters. I'd like to see cryptocurrency as an alternative to that and allow people to direct their own savings without these bullies getting involved.

You can use bitcoin over TOR

[ViewSonic]

Yes.  Today the protocol uses no encryption and static ports.  It would be fairly trivial for an ISP to identify bitcoin data.  Of course similar countermeasures like what are used for bittorent could be built into the protocol.  In the meantime you could use a VPN connection (of course that just moves to point of listening) but you may trust your VPN provider more than your trust your ISP, or at least it is easier to pick another VPN provider than it is to pick another ISP.

Sometimes it's not easier to pick another VPN provider than another ISP. Trust me