A 7-Yr Prison Term for Bitcoin Use, Says Russian Finance Ministry

[jacktheking]

7 years in prison for using Bitcoin? That is really a shocking news but nothing new in the Bitcoin world. We all know that Russia government have been trying to stop the use of Bitcoin in their country.

Interesting fact: Bitcointalk.org is ranked #3083 website in Russia at Alexa.com. :p.

[kenot21]

very interesting news.Because recently my friend in Russia just started using bitcoin and she  actually bought some goods using bitcoin.
I guess we just need to listen for recent news. People in Russia will really hate their government if that law is passed.

[ahpku]

it's not even feasible, if you think about it

what if one day russia citizen begin to use bitccoin en mass, they will end up all arrested? don't make me laugh

it's like arresting everyone because he/she is using his/her computer

What if one day Russian citizens begin to shoot Drano & rape their children en masse? Don't make me laugh.

[Amph]

it's not even feasible, if you think about it

what if one day russia citizen begin to use bitccoin en mass, they will end up all arrested? don't make me laugh

it's like arresting everyone because he/she is using his/her computer

What if one day Russian citizens begin to shoot Drano & rape their children en masse? Don't make me laugh.

well my "if" make much more sense actually, because you know, using bitcoin require only 1 device that is connected to internet

any person that is not 100% retarded or with mental/terminals disease can do this at home

[ahpku]

it's not even feasible, if you think about it

what if one day russia citizen begin to use bitccoin en mass, they will end up all arrested? don't make me laugh

it's like arresting everyone because he/she is using his/her computer

What if one day Russian citizens begin to shoot Drano & rape their children en masse? Don't make me laugh.

well my "if" make much more sense actually, because you know, using bitcoin require only 1 device that is connected to internet ...

1 device connected to the internet and ...bitcoins. Which non-criminals neither have, nor have access to.
Drano and children, otoh, are within everyone's easy reach.
So if everyone in Russia suddenly decided to become a crazed criminal, the scenario I've described seems much more plausible.
P.S. Here, a long-time Bitcoin enthusiast describes how he buys/sells BTC in a country where Bitcoin is legal.
I'd humbly like to add that this more resembles opsec for moving serious weight,not a monetary transaction a non-criminal is likely to make:

I've done a lot of localbitcoins transactions, both as a buyer and as a seller, and I've never had an issue.  I take a few precautions, but so far they've never been necessary.

Typically, the localbitcoins transaction escrow is funded before we meet.

My preference is to meet in a public place (such as a fast food restaurant or coffee house).  I try to arrive earlier than the agreed time, and sit inside as far from any exit as I can, with my back to the wall so I can see who is entering, and which door they enter from. This allows me to see if the other party arrives alone or with a friend, and what direction he is likely to exit. It also means that the other party will have a distance to cover to get out which may allow me to chase, or shout, or gather information about them and their vehicle. In situations with a large amount of cash, I've had a friend come along with me and asked that friend to sit next to the most likely exit. I usually will buy a beverage from the business I am meeting in, and have it at the table with me.
[typical junkie move --ed]
It is important to remember though, that your health, and life are far more valuable than any amount of money you might lose.  If at any time before the transaction you feel concerned for your safety, you should just call it off and make other arrangements with someone else.  If, during or after the transaction, the other party becomes threatening or engages in any activity that risks your health or life (such as pulling out a knife or a gun) you and any friend you bring along should be prepared to just walk away and let the thief keep what they've taken.[/i]

Once we meet, my preference is:
The seller gets their mobile device ready to send the transaction while the buyer counts out the money for the seller to see that it's all there.  The buyer leaves the money on the table in view of the seller.  The seller then releases the escrow to the buyer and asks the buyer to confirm that they've received it.  Once the buyer confirms they've received the released escrow, the seller removes the cash from the table and re-counts it themselves in view of the buyer.  When both parties are satisfied that they've received what is due to them, they thank each other for a smooth and easy transaction and go their separate ways.  I typically remain at my seat and continue to sip at my beverage. It is obvious that I plan to finish my beverage before leaving, or if it happens to come up in conversation I mention that I'm going to finish my beverage and possibly order some food. This allows me to wait for the other party to leave and be comfortable that I'm not going to be followed when I leave.

Note that there can be variations to this scenario. There is no "standard" or "official" way of completing the transaction.  You'll need to be flexible enough to deal with any modifications.  For example, some people are uncomfortable with leaving cash sitting out on a table in public.  They may expect the cash to be exchanged discreetly.  Others might require you to complete your side of the transaction before they are willing to complete their side.  You might arrive and find that the other party is already there. Some people refuse to use the localbitcoins escrow service and will want to send or receive bitcoins directly.  You'll need to decide for yourself if someone's requirements are acceptable to you, and if not then find someone else to exchange with.

Note that, the business you are meeting at probably has more than $500 in their cash registers and office.  So, if the other party is going to use a weapon to try to get away with your cash, they can get a lot more for the exact same risk to themselves buy stealing from the business instead of you.  The other party also risks you contacting the police and being able to identify them, and they risk you leaving feedback on their localbitcoins account explaining to all future potential victims what happened.

Some risks to be aware of...

It is possible for a seller to pretend not to arrive and instead wait outside for you to leave. They now have a victim that they can wait for, knowing that you are carrying at least the specified amount of cash.  When you leave they can use a weapon to steal from you before you get to your vehicle, or they can discretely follow you and use a weapon to steal from you when you get to a less populated location (such as your house?).

If a seller sends directly to your wallet instead of using the localbitcoins escrow, it is possible for them to create a transaction that will take hours (or even days) to confirm.  They might do this on accident if they are using a poorly written wallet, or they might do it on purpose with the intention of attempting to invalidate the transaction later (before it confirms).  In either case, it can be difficult to agree on what should be done about this.  If possible, it may be a good idea to have an agreement ahead of time as to what will happen if the transaction doesn't confirm before either of you want to leave.

If a seller uses localbitcoins escrow, it is possible that they could fund the escrow but the localbitcoins service is down at the time of the transaction. It can be difficult to agree on what should be done about this.  If possible, it may be a good idea to have an agreement ahead of time as to what will happen if escrow is funded but localbitcoins is unavailable at the time of the transaction.

Yah, Mom, you should totally try Bitcoin. It's totally not for criminals and 100% legit, you'll be fine.

[poupatudo]

Well, IMHO this is excessive and very much against common sense, so just because someone owns bitcoin that are not used in any illegal activity this is enough to send them to jail? they seem afraid of there currency showing it's true value...

[Bitcoinpro]

is the Ruble still in use?

[a7mos]

even if Russia applys those harsh terms , I believe that it will not prevent people from using bitcoin but they will use it in secret
if they want to stop people from using btc, they should cut the internet connection

[aardvark15]

That's crazy!  Four years for a regular citizen just using bitcoin?  Even if they can't enforce it, it wouldn't be worth the risk to regular citizens to use it.

[Red-Apple]

if there is such harsh laws against bitcoin and bitcoin usage how come there is a big Blockchain and Bitcoin Conference in Russia on April 8

[ahpku]

if there is such harsh laws against bitcoin and bitcoin usage how come there is a big Blockchain and Bitcoin Conference in Russia on April 8

Are you sure it's real & not some kind of a scam, like this one?



The law hasn't been passed yet; consider reading before typing.

[jonald_fyookball]

if they really want to ban bitcoin, it shows how scared and weak they are and how real and strong Bitcoin is.

[ahpku]

if they really want to ban bitcoin, it shows how scared and weak they are and how real and strong Bitcoin is.

Same could be said for rape, murder, child porn, etc., etc.

[gkv9]

if they really want to ban bitcoin, it shows how scared and weak they are and how real and strong Bitcoin is.

Not just that, but this is the limit of how far they can go stopping people to use such a thing which they can't have their hands-on...
This is freaking crazy how people are stopping people to use people's money...

[4by2]

if they really want to ban bitcoin, it shows how scared and weak they are and how real and strong Bitcoin is.

Not just that, but this is the limit of how far they can go stopping people to use such a thing which they can't have their hands-on...
This is freaking crazy how people are stopping people to use people's money...

I'm curious if this is actually a surprise for you, it seems like something that would be normal in a typical society.

Russia has been dabbling with bitcoin for a while, but keep in mind this is only the finance minister, and such a comment is expected of him.

[Amph]

it's not even feasible, if you think about it

what if one day russia citizen begin to use bitccoin en mass, they will end up all arrested? don't make me laugh

it's like arresting everyone because he/she is using his/her computer

What if one day Russian citizens begin to shoot Drano & rape their children en masse? Don't make me laugh.

well my "if" make much more sense actually, because you know, using bitcoin require only 1 device that is connected to internet ...

1 device connected to the internet and ...bitcoins. Which non-criminals neither have, nor have access to.
Drano and children, otoh, are within everyone's easy reach.
So if everyone in Russia suddenly decided to become a crazed criminal, the scenario I've described seems much more plausible.
P.S. Here, a long-time Bitcoin enthusiast describes how he buys/sells BTC in a country where Bitcoin is legal.
I'd humbly like to add that this more resembles opsec for moving serious weight,not a monetary transaction a non-criminal is likely to make:

snip

Yah, Mom, you should totally try Bitcoin. It's totally not for criminals and 100% legit, you'll be fine.

you really believe that they can not use an exchange with a simple vps/vpn or proxy or whatever and receive bitcoin on anonymous debit/credit card?

also bitcoin can be mined with gpu indirectly via altcoin(ethereum and a bunch of other are utterly profitable, 0.01 minimum per card each day), good luck to the government stopping someone from mining with a gpu, i repeat don't make me laugh

no matter how many restrictions there are, there is always a way to disrupt it

[gkv9]

if they really want to ban bitcoin, it shows how scared and weak they are and how real and strong Bitcoin is.

Not just that, but this is the limit of how far they can go stopping people to use such a thing which they can't have their hands-on...
This is freaking crazy how people are stopping people to use people's money...

I'm curious if this is actually a surprise for you, it seems like something that would be normal in a typical society.

Russia has been dabbling with bitcoin for a while, but keep in mind this is only the finance minister, and such a comment is expected of him.

Not at all surprising, but more as a criticism towards something they can't have their hold on...
They just don't want anyone to be freely able to manage their own finances, which is why they are trying their best to do whatever it takes to stop everyone using Bitcoins and use their own local currency...

[fravia]

thats definitely not a good thing for bitcoin as in this way less people will use it what means there will be less adoption and the price will be lower

i hope this bitcoin ban will be removed and people will be given a chance to use bitcoins freely as any other real currency

[ahpku]

it's not even feasible, if you think about it

what if one day russia citizen begin to use bitccoin en mass, they will end up all arrested? don't make me laugh

it's like arresting everyone because he/she is using his/her computer

What if one day Russian citizens begin to shoot Drano & rape their children en masse? Don't make me laugh.

well my "if" make much more sense actually, because you know, using bitcoin require only 1 device that is connected to internet ...

1 device connected to the internet and ...bitcoins. Which non-criminals neither have, nor have access to.
Drano and children, otoh, are within everyone's easy reach.
So if everyone in Russia suddenly decided to become a crazed criminal, the scenario I've described seems much more plausible.
P.S. Here, a long-time Bitcoin enthusiast describes how he buys/sells BTC in a country where Bitcoin is legal.
I'd humbly like to add that this more resembles opsec for moving serious weight,not a monetary transaction a non-criminal is likely to make:

snip

Yah, Mom, you should totally try Bitcoin. It's totally not for criminals and 100% legit, you'll be fine.

you really believe that they can not use an exchange with a simple vps/vpn or proxy or whatever and receive bitcoin on anonymous debit/credit card?

also bitcoin can be mined with gpu indirectly via altcoin(ethereum and a bunch of other are utterly profitable, 0.01 minimum per card each day), good luck to the government stopping someone from mining with a gpu, i repeat don't make me laugh

no matter how many restrictions there are, there is always a way to disrupt it

Sure, if someone is absolutely set on getting BTC, they'll get it. Just like they get krokodil & child porn.
Of course, there'd be no point in it, because after jumping through all those hoops & spending shitloads of money, our crypto rebel would only be able to buy CP/score overpriced drugs on DNMs. No legal businesses would accept BTC, because illegal.
But if what you're saying is "everyone in Russia might turn criminally insane & use Bitcoin, even though it makes no fucking sense whatsoever," I guess I got nothing.

[Rizky Aditya]

thats definitely not a good thing for bitcoin as in this way less people will use it what means there will be less adoption and the price will be lower

i hope this bitcoin ban will be removed and people will be given a chance to use bitcoins freely as any other real currency

I also hope that the ban is removed. All those people will pretty much have their Bitcoin rendered useless. The Russians really need to do something about this.