Researchers Unmask Anonymous Tor Users By Tracking Bitcoin Transactions

[fabianji]

This is good news and takes away a big argument of the central bankers against blockchain. Not that this has ever been a real problem as studies show that the use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities is minute but knowing know that even those can be tracked and traced back to the person will further discourage the illegal use and help mature crypto assets into a globally accepted technology and monetary instrument.

Here is the report of the Qatar University where they demonstrated how Bitcoin transaction analysis can be leveraged to de-anonymize Tor users: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1801.07501.pdf

[Xavofat]

This study appears to only be analysing addresses which were posted publicly on here and Twitter.  A careful Tor user attempts to cut ties between their Bitcoin address and their online identity, and in turn cut ties between their online identity and their real identity.

I think this relies on people being careless - blockchain analysis can be done but the most significant criminals are not exactly being careless or simply assuming that they will remain safe by default.

Regardless, some people on darknet markets are switching to Monero, so perhaps they should attempt to analyse that instead.