http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518816/mapping-the-bitcoin-economy-could-reveal-users-identities/Why It Matters
Understanding what oversight authorities can and can’t have over digital currencies will play a major role in determining how widely adopted they will become.
The digital currency Bitcoin has a reputation for providing privacy. But a new analysis of the public log of all bitcoin transactions suggests it could be surprisingly easy for a law enforcement agency to identify many users of the currency. Popular uses for bitcoins include illicit gambling and making purchases at an online marketplace called Silk Road, where illegal drugs are traded openly.
