The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology encourages crime?

[Crystal24]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

[1715060547]

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[1715060547]

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[Nnedaddy1]

Yes. I said yes because the structure makes it hard for cryptocurrencies to be tied directly to the crypto owner offline.
Its almost impossible to link an on line crypto account to its owner offline.
So so many are leveraging off that to commit crimes, after all their identities is not known!

[Kakmakr]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

No, pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin does not encourage criminal activities. The fact that we are dealing with something that has value, gives it more incentive to be used for crime. Do not forget that Cash is more anonymous than Bitcoin. Criminals do not have to be encouraged to use anything of value for crime, they just do.

Bitcoin transactions are traceable on the Blockchain, under certain conditions, which makes using this for criminal activities a very stupid idea.  

[odolvlobo]

Every technology has a good side and a bad side. If you ignore the benefits of the technology, you remain ignorant.

[BitNaija]

I tend not to believe that blockchian is anonymous. There may not be a name, but the transaction location and IP address are key information. Also, to have a wallet requires some measure of documentation like email. All of these are critical information.

[bilal_jan321]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

No, pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin does not encourage criminal activities. The fact that we are dealing with something that has value, gives it more incentive to be used for crime. Do not forget that Cash is more anonymous than Bitcoin. Criminals do not have to be encouraged to use anything of value for crime, they just do.

Bitcoin transactions are traceable on the Blockchain, under certain conditions, which makes using this for criminal activities a very stupid idea.  

Criminals are using different financial means since the start of human life and will continue to do that as long as life on this planet continues to exist. I do agree that fiat is more anonymous than cryptocurrency. We can't declare it useless just because of its anonymous nature.

[stompix]

I tend not to believe that blockchian is anonymous. There may not be a name, but the transaction location and IP address are key information. Also, to have a wallet requires some measure of documentation like email. All of these are critical information.

What wallet are you talking about? Actually, are you sure you are talking about BTC ?

No, pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin does not encourage criminal activities. The fact that we are dealing with something that has value, gives it more incentive to be used for crime. Do not forget that Cash is more anonymous than Bitcoin. Criminals do not have to be encouraged to use anything of value for crime, they just do.

Bitcoin transactions are traceable on the Blockchain, under certain conditions, which makes using this for criminal activities a very stupid idea.  

I don't get why people are so defensive on BTC that they sometimes deny things that are obvious.
Yeah, BTC can be used for illegal activities, yeah BTC has been used for buying all kinds of stuff on dark markets and dark markets have boomed with the adoption of cryptos for payments.
BTC has attracted a lot of fishy activity, there is nothing to hide here.

[master2080]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

As opposed to the easily trackable pieces of paper they used up until today, right?

[fiulpro]

Well you know the fact is the blockchain technology isn't anyomous at all . The addresses easy to track until and unless someone keeps changing them and most of the times it's not so if government make small changes it can be easily tracked better than other paperwork which can be changed these addresses are universal and unchangeable it can in fact in a systemic manner used to curb corruption.
The blockchain technology is something that can't be changed no matter what it will involve no third party does the funds will directly be transferred which means that no third party can intervene does making all the transactions true to their point.

[Ctn]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

No, pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin does not encourage criminal activities. The fact that we are dealing with something that has value, gives it more incentive to be used for crime. Do not forget that Cash is more anonymous than Bitcoin. Criminals do not have to be encouraged to use anything of value for crime, they just do.

Bitcoin transactions are traceable on the Blockchain, under certain conditions, which makes using this for criminal activities a very stupid idea.  

Indeed. I was going to mention that people always mislead that bitcoin is anonymous one, but its not really, it is pseudo-anonymous as we can still track down who sent how much and from where to where! By using the tree chart one can always trace down to final address. See where it belong, for example if we mapped it to the coinable associate account then we can easily have personal info under jurisdiction action from the coinable itself.

Anyway, I think the only reason criminals are using it is to avoid direct contact of person to person, no cash to be laid and more importantly they can send as much money as they want in the form of bitcoin.

[BelieveInBTC]

It's obvious that criminals will try to use Bitcoin and other cryptucurrencies for illegal things but there is no way to prevent this. That's not a proper reason to get rid of cryptocurrencies because criminals would continue to use fiat or some other methods to trade. Blockchain DOES NOT cause the increase of criminality. Stop repeating such nonsense.

[bittraffic]

Well if they government believes the crypto encourages crime, the more they should push the regulations as early as possible because the more people get into this space the more they know how to use and take advantage of this unregulated market, crimes will be committed. For some reasons though I like the free market.

[talkbitcoin]

just because you have only used the blockchain technology for criminal activities such as buying drugs to smoke your brain sells it doesn't mean that there is an "anonymous" structure to the blockchain technology.

the worst part is, when you say blockchain technology majority of the projects like bitcoin and about 1500 others are NOT even anonymous. the transactions are right there for the whole world to see.
the rest have anonymous features and only one or two of them are actually good.

my advise is to stop smocking drugs and start learning more before starting topics like this.

[francis95]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Being anonymous is prone to criminals but to say that is a breeding ground for criminals and traffickers is too much..

[LeGaulois]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

No it doesn't. So far you can not buy your weed in the street with Bitcoin. Do you forget how currencies like the dollar, euros and almost all of them are used to operate illegal activities? Wanna compare the number of dollars used and the number of bitcoins used for this and compare. Crypto transactions are like babies compared to traditional currencies.
The same point if you want to focus only on the blockchain technology. It makes more good than bad

[jahidck]

Well, every technology has a good side along with a bad side and we have to decide which side we will take. Blockchain technology maybe has some bad side but I hope that it will be solved in the future.

[thesmallgod]

well it may be easy to carry huge amount of currency from one country to another but at the same time you should know many blockchain based ecosystem are now doing kyc verification which means identity of user can be shown if such person has commited crime using the blockchain technology. However many of this drug dealers and money launders do not know much about crypto. they always want quick and save deal so use of cryptocurrency to commit crime may not interest them as much

[CryptoRaymond]

Yes the trace-ability issue is encouraging the crime. Due to the feature of blockchain, all the transactions are anonymous and crimes are happened though the anonymity. I guess some way forward should be set to track the unwanted or illegal movement in the crypto industry to save it for future. 

[2fresh]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Does cash encourage crime? It's even less traceable.
While we're at it, everything (expensive cars, jewelry etc) with value encourages crime.

[shalaza]

Yes. Whether we like it or not, that is the truth about bitcoin. The anonymity part will keep encouraging crimes unless drastic actions are taken

[StarKay]

I don't get why people are so defensive on BTC that they sometimes deny things that are obvious.
Yeah, BTC can be used for illegal activities, yeah BTC has been used for buying all kinds of stuff on dark markets and dark markets have boomed with the adoption of cryptos for payments.
BTC has attracted a lot of fishy activity, there is nothing to hide here.

It's not about being defensive, Blockchain is not as anonymous as the OP puts it and it definitely doesn't encourage criminal activities.
Criminals have made use of blockchain based currency and they'll continue to do so because it is valuable same way they make use of Dollars, Pounds and other Fiats; Elephant tusks and valuable mineral resources are not spared so I don't agree with the OP on this.
Criminals don't need encouragement, they make use of what is available.

[Slow death]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

as many people have already answered, it does encourage crime. The internet has become home to many criminals because it's hard to find and imagine when you create an anonymous coin? is how to give sweet to a child. yet people use any means to commit crimes. for example the knife you use to cut food, some people use that same knife to commit crimes. today KYC exists precisely to prevent crimes.

Yes. Whether we like it or not, that is the truth about bitcoin. The anonymity part will keep encouraging crimes unless drastic actions are taken

drastic measures are already being taken

[Olalomi]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Well said but the bottom line is that in the process of exchanging a huge  laundered money to fiat could probably resulted to proper scrutiny of the source by the financial institution handling the transaction thus if it is a fraudulent source then the account will be frozen.

[Aum Ram]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

This is noncence. This is the same as saying that knives contribute to an increase in the number of murders. But we use knives every day in the kitchen when we cut bread. A knife is just an instrument. Blocking is also just an instrument. Everything always depends on who will use this tool.

[rosstiller]

I would say that anonymity of transaction is not helping criminals to make their works easy. Because with cash it is the same. The crime depends on only the intention of a criminal. Criminal can attack with hammer that doesn't mean hammer is helping them to crime.

[collins_89]

There is nothing like pure blessings in Earth. It can certainly have some harmful sides. Maybe this is the drawback of blockchain. We must not say this anonymous feature is bad just it is being misused. It has many good sides too.

[Accertarsi]

In some cases, this is true. Due to anonymity, criminals can move out easily. But the number of that smart criminals are not so huge. So I think proper laws should be set to protect the cryptoworld.

[aoluain]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

I wouldnt agree with the statement.
You make it sound like before blockchain there was no criminality.
Criminals have always existed and blockchains have given them another tool
to use in their trade just like cash and credit cards.

This is something that the media in general has been pushing and creating
FUD. Focusing on the criminality behind bitcoin and crypto.

[Kakmakr]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

This is noncence. This is the same as saying that knives contribute to an increase in the number of murders. But we use knives every day in the kitchen when we cut bread. A knife is just an instrument. Blocking is also just an instrument. Everything always depends on who will use this tool.

Excellent comparison, but he is saying Bitcoin <knives> are more suitable for crime than say, PayPal <forks> and we need to debate that angle. I am saying that it is not more suitable, because the knife has 1 sharp point and other payment methods like PayPal <forks> and Ice picks <Cash> is better suited for that purpose.

Most financial crimes are still being done with cash <drug deals on streets> because more people know how to use cash than people who know how to use Bitcoin. <A disadvantage to use Bitcoin for crime is the complexity of the technology>

[setialovers]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Bitcoin or blockchain technology dont have relation with criminal activity. Bitcoin or blockchain is just a tool and its depending on who use it. Dollar can be used for criminal acitivity but media never covering that story.

[Ridwan Fauzi]

This is the effect of the FUD that has been realized during this time, whereas in fact every person's cryptocurrency assets can be traced even with relatively easy to do, compared with the use of fiat money used for illegal things that will be difficult to track. You have to change your mind like this, skip some things to learn about blockchain and cryptocurrency.

[avikz]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

I strongly disagree with your statement. Bitcoin is not completely anonymous in nature, we can say it pseudo-anonymous. Everything can be seen through the public ledger but it is hard to identify which account belongs to whom. That's where it looks like anonymous. But bitcoin is not at all a breeding ground for criminal activities. Money laundering, drug trafficking and terrorism financing was always there before bitcoin ever existed. So it makes no sense to call bitcoin as a breeding ground of such illegal activities. Probably bitcoin has given them a new platform to make the financial transactions for such activities, but it is certainly not a breeding ground. Such kind of crimes existed since the history of mankind, bitcoin did not give birth to this issues. Watch before your draw a conclusion.

[foxbat]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

And that is why many governments are willing to remove bitcoin even though it provides a lot of resources for the economy. And if you think broader, once the criminal organizations exist, bitcoins are also used.

[feny.blackpink]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

That is the negative way to think but it is possible. Any peoples can transact with private coin if they dont want to be traced.
Maybe this is one of reason why some countries still doesn't allowing their peoples use cryptocurrency.

[stompix]

I don't get why people are so defensive on BTC that they sometimes deny things that are obvious.
Yeah, BTC can be used for illegal activities, yeah BTC has been used for buying all kinds of stuff on dark markets and dark markets have boomed with the adoption of cryptos for payments.
BTC has attracted a lot of fishy activity, there is nothing to hide here.

It's not about being defensive, Blockchain is not as anonymous as the OP puts it and it definitely doesn't encourage criminal activities.
Criminals have made use of blockchain based currency and they'll continue to do so because it is valuable same way they make use of Dollars, Pounds and other Fiats; Elephant tusks and valuable mineral resources are not spared so I don't agree with the OP on this.
Criminals don't need encouragement, they make use of what is available.

Let's take the latest scam :
Dwarf FPGA – the anti-ASIC

They've only accepted crypto, of course, no PayPal, no nothing.
Would the scam have worked with a payment that had some kind of buyer protection? No! A payment option that would have helped the users tracing him? No!

And about the BTC being so non-anonymous...
Just how many of the scammers here on the forum have been traced out of 8200 scam accusations topics?  0.1% ? 0.2%?
Sounds pretty anonymous to me.

Yeah, BTC has attracted a lot of shady individuals just like churches have attracted fanatics that have nothing in common with Christianity, just like the internet has allowed me to become a Nigerian King. (although I'm still waiting to inherit that wealth and my throne)
So? Big deal! I don't give a damn! Everyone is free to use it as it wants as long he will face the consequences of his actions.

But turning into a cult that worships the blockchain and burns any infidel that dares to criticize it is not the solution.

[CHENIEN]

Actually cryptocurrency business are joined by groups of anonymous persons, like us we are here with unknown of personal identity, and our accounts are named by different invented title, but I really like this system in order to be safe to every people who joins this business, but the disadvantages also on this system are most attracted by many criminals like hackers and scammers because of hidden of identity system.

[zxrcoin]

After invention of tech there is always pros and cons because if you use this tech for good purpose then it will be great but if you use this for illegal purpose then its really matter of shame because of this blockchain yes its happens so it need to monitor.

[tranduc2101]

I agree. Many criminals are using bitcoin for money laundering purposes. So I think the government should accept bitcoin and then we should let the government control the crypto market

[jackky]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

I think you should not be concerned about this issue. Criminals can use different forms to commit crimes. they can use another cryptocurrency to trade and exchange drugs and weapons

[kulsuma]

We all connect with technology and we all know about its bad and good site. Blockchain technology provides security for the investor. But sometime this technology can’t provide 100%security.

[darkangel11]

And about the BTC being so non-anonymous...
Just how many of the scammers here on the forum have been traced out of 8200 scam accusations topics?  0.1% ? 0.2%?
Sounds pretty anonymous to me.

There are several reasons for them not being found and convicted. I think one of the biggest ones, pirateat40, got prosecuted. They also managed to get Ross, so those who are treated as "high profile" are found.
As for this forum, I believe that at least half of the accusations don't even mention money. The people involved are accused of hacking accounts, scamming signature campaigns for a couple bucks, taking loans and disappearing... That 10% (at most) that steal big money, still can be considered small fish. Nobody is going to spend days or months trying to trace wallets when there's only a couple thousand USD at stake, but BTC is by all means traceable. You just have to spend the coins somewhere for it to work. If the thief hoards the coins tracing is pointless.

[piterpie]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Your thoughts are like the thoughts of the government. Sometimes when cryptocurrency is a kind of asset, people buy bitcoin and wait for the price to rise to make a profit rather than using bitcoin for bad deeds.

[cellard]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

No, pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin does not encourage criminal activities. The fact that we are dealing with something that has value, gives it more incentive to be used for crime. Do not forget that Cash is more anonymous than Bitcoin. Criminals do not have to be encouraged to use anything of value for crime, they just do.

Bitcoin transactions are traceable on the Blockchain, under certain conditions, which makes using this for criminal activities a very stupid idea.  

I think this is delusional. Anyone with a brain that's about to commit crime would use a mixer to hide their tracks. I tested a mixer out of curiosity once with some BTC, and it really makes it a mess to track the coins back. Unfortunately I can forget about cashing out these coins now to buy some property because I will not be able to justify its origins after the inputs became all a mixed mess, and I don't want to be labelled a criminal.

It is what it is, despicable criminals will profit from Bitcoin, just like how good people that need to move or hide wealth from totalitarian governments and other attackers will profit from it. It's a double edged sword, but then again what weapon isn't.

[adejoke444]

This always the fear of some countries in legalizing the use of bitcoin's in their country as they know the risk involved which is anonymous transactions and can also be use for illegal transactions

[stompix]

And about the BTC being so non-anonymous...
Just how many of the scammers here on the forum have been traced out of 8200 scam accusations topics?  0.1% ? 0.2%?
Sounds pretty anonymous to me.

There are several reasons for them not being found and convicted. I think one of the biggest ones, pirateat40, got prosecuted. They also managed to get Ross, so those who are treated as "high profile" are found.
As for this forum, I believe that at least half of the accusations don't even mention money. The people involved are accused of hacking accounts, scamming signature campaigns for a couple bucks, taking loans and disappearing... That 10% (at most) that steal big money, still can be considered small fish. Nobody is going to spend days or months trying to trace wallets when there's only a couple thousand USD at stake, but BTC is by all means traceable. You just have to spend the coins somewhere for it to work. If the thief hoards the coins tracing is pointless.

As cellard said just above, I'm not so sure you can track coins that easily. Especially with the service both of us advertise on the forum.  

A large number of coins maybe it will leave tracks but 100-200 coins spread over a few days, with chips then tumbled again and deposited on multiple accounts on localbitcoins for example, have fun tracking that...

With fiat and banks it's pretty simple, no matter where you transfer the money there is always an account with a label, you just can't erase money from one account and then have an account 3 weeks older credited with the same amount on the other side of the world.

[Stedsm]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Not really if the end use case has not been to harm someone by other party, else not just blockchain, but even real money will work as a means in the surge for criminal activities. About drug trafficking, why don't people consider smuggling of gold and other precious metals as well as chemicals in exchange of these drugs instead of blaming blockchain alone every time? I've had been watching this since the beginning and can say that Bitcoins' use is least in such malicious happenings compared to those that are used in real world already like fiat, gold, etc.

[Cryptrx]

In some way it does. The anonymous nature of the technology makes it difficult to track those who commit money fraud.

[popelene1]

Yrs it does and this the reason some government has be scared to make it legal to his people because they fear the misuse of it for something bad...

[leviathon]

So can cash be used for trafficking and criminal activities and there won't be any way for the government to track it. Now is cash also breeding ground for illegal activities? I don't see you complaining about that. if you want decentralization than this is the price that everyone needs to be ready to pay.

[niteroy]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Whenever a so-called ‘expert’, official, or other talking head starts pontificating on the evils of Bitcoin, one argument that never fails to get trotted out is how people are using Bitcoin to hide their money from the government. That argument, of course, usually segues in with the “Bitcoin is cryptocurrency of preference for criminals and Very Bad People” argument. But Bitcoin wasn’t designed to hide wealth from the government. It was designed to allow people to control their own wealth. There is a difference. And frankly, if anonymity is a user’s primary concern, there are far more privacy-centric cryptocurrencies out there. Bitcoin is hardly anonymous – in fact, there is an entire growing industry dedicated to tracking transactions.

[upekhaanthony]

Yes, bitcoin and cryptocurrency transaction anonymous and very easy than fiat transaction. It not a help to grow the crimes related transaction. All ways criminal find a better, safe and the fastest way to do their activities. It is not a bad quality of bitcoin, but it is bad quality of criminals. Bitcoin does not encourage crimes, peoples' mindset encourages the bitcoin usage for crimes.

[RamonBTC]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

I once said something like this, “anonymous or not criminal does exist”. In real world with identification card and cctv’s criminal activities is rampant.

If you’re born to be a criminal and addicted as one then you don’t need blockchain technology to hide yourself. It is only you who will expose it.

Look for the biggest corrupt individuals in the world, they’re standing as public servant.

[slackcryptoz]

When people doesn't have good thoughts about bitcoin, and still if someone close to them force to use they'll give reasons same as the thread title. From my experience only people who love to be a part of the growing technology will use it for good deeds.

[Cynooza]

Bitcoin is just a tool which can be used for different causes. Therefore, it cannot encourage people for doing anything. People launder money because they don't want to pay coerced taxes, war in drugs doesn't work. So are these things really crimes?

[Nurul_]

if it were true it would be beautiful in the fox. because do not hurt the bitcoin lovers of the world. should not let the crypto world be upgraded to always be clean of criminals and pera ahocer .

[bittraffic]

Bitcoin is just a tool which can be used for different causes. Therefore, it cannot encourage people for doing anything. People launder money because they don't want to pay coerced taxes, war in drugs doesn't work. So are these things really crimes?

Among the use of crypto is just what it is in the mind of a criminal wants to use it the way they want it, it can be done. Same thing with fiat. Fiat are owned by government and yet they still can't control the use of it. Which is why I'm not sure whether the regulations are suppose to be imposed. Let the crypto space be what it is right now.  Its not like they can control someone anonymous enough from creating another coin.

[Hopeman1]

Because no one can modify the blockchain data at will.
And the blockchain is anonymous, so it's good for criminals to use because it's hard to track down.

[Ilegendph]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

No, pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin does not encourage criminal activities. The fact that we are dealing with something that has value, gives it more incentive to be used for crime. Do not forget that Cash is more anonymous than Bitcoin. Criminals do not have to be encouraged to use anything of value for crime, they just do.

Bitcoin transactions are traceable on the Blockchain, under certain conditions, which makes using this for criminal activities a very stupid idea.  

Very well said sir. Its just that criminals could receive their money online without the worries that someone could track physically. After all, all the rules and regulations that is implemented in every countries is to make sure that there are no illegal activities involve in using money that is why in some places, you should put where the money come from and where will it be used to get the remitted money.

[HectorAlden]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

It might be possible, but I will say there is so much good about Blockchain that it is almost stupid for anyone to point out anything like this. Apart from that, there re so many coins that are deciding or are using the blockchain and are working great in terms of security like ICX, Lisk, PRG etc.

[KenyonCarter]

The anonymous structure of the blockchain technology is a breeding ground for criminal activities life money laundering, drug trafficking?

Well I will not say that this is not true but please look at all the benefits it is giving. It can be partially true as I have no right to negate your statement. If we look at coins like Lamden,  DRGN etc, these are brilliant coins that are or will be using Blockchain too.

[cryptolovers990]

No, it definitely doesn't encourage the illegal activities. But illegal activities find it's way as the transaction occurs anonymously here. Steps need to be taken to abort this kind of activity.

[DannyMarco]

Indeed it does. Because the users are anonymous, it makes it hard to track down the owners. This has led to people to take unfair advantage of it, and they end up scamming people. But if one is smart he/she will be able to track the IP address, even a simple email id can help too.