should I be concerned about the history of bitcoins when buying them ?

[Findingnemo]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

If you're buying the coins from the p2p platform then you no need to worry because the funds you bought will be credited into the platforms wallet then you can withdraw it to your own address so you won't be charged for any criminal activities because seller didn't deposit the funds directly to your wallet but you should be careful if you're buying coins from someone personally.

But the real problem is while selling those coins you may get lot of problems because you don't know the source of Fiat coming to your wallet that is why choose the reputed trader while selling Bitcoin.

[yhiaali3]

To avoid such situations you have to make sure your identity is well hidden, using “mixers” and decentralized exchanges, though if the bitcoin you got involved in some illegal activity they can still track your wallet address and you will suffer a lot to deposit these bitcoins to central exchanges or If you want to sell it and convert to cash when the bitcoin rises, for example. Some centralized platforms have the ability to know the addresses of mixers and they block you if you get caught and you will lose your money. So always the best solution is to use decentralized exchanges.

[Jody.Drummer]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

Since you are buying on P2P, let's say the seller is getting Bitcoin from a criminal act.

First, you are just a buyer with the reason you do not know the history of the seller at all.

Second, pay attention to before/after transactions:
for example, if you know that Bitcoin sellers in P2P are criminals but you keep buying then you are considered involved.

However, if the other way around, if you find out that the seller is a criminal after you buy, then I think you have the power of proof where you are just a buyer just making a transaction.

[so98nn]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

Well, those bitcoins might have been transferred many many many times before they might reach you! Basically the nodes that will keep creating further will have the connection to previous transaction (input and output, multiple) giving you extra layer of security. Yup many of them will say it could be traced but not down to the seed which was involved with criminal activity, cause that’s just impossible. It’s more or less mixing the coins continuously.

If you still think you received the coins which were involved with criminal activity then just hit Chipmixer, mix your coins and you have fresh lot of coins.

[topman21]

Not much. If it just so happens that a certain platform you sent your funds to asks you about where the funds came from, just say you bought it P2P. Though this rarely happens as far as I know. As long as buying P2P is not illegal where you're from.

Right. Whenever someone tells you something about it, you must say that you bought it from p2p. I don't think there should be any problem with you because you have completed the transaction from p2p.If anything, of course p2p can or will carry it.

[Jemzx00]

Why don't you just use a mixer if you are not very sure? There is a popular one here in the forum Chipmixer that renders this service, enquire about the process to mix your coins and get it done with. If you are in a country where you feel this can have a negative impact later then a mixer is your best option. But you should first try and buy from a reputable p2p platform, that way the probability of buying a stolen coin is less.

This method could probably help the OP in case there's an issue with the coins he'd bought however I think this is going overboard especially if the coin is bought from a P2P platform. These coins are usually are not directly sent to the others party's wallet but rather it will be mixed on multiple nodes.
Also, it's rare to encounter such a scenario and even if that's the case, you can just explain the situation and not be liable with the coins bought.

[hatshepsut93]

Well, hypothetically some dumbass crriminal could sell their dirty coins on a p2p market and the buyer will have an unpleasant talk with law enforcement if they will be identified, for example by moving their coins immediately to a centralized exchange. Does this happen often? Probably not, I never heard about such stories. Lots of people trade on p2p exchanges without such problems.

[teosanru]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

Technically yes you should be worried about this reason being whenever some sort of scam or something happens the department would generally establish the whole trail of activity associated with those bitcoins, but if you have proper evidence as to from whom did you purchase it and what consideration did you pay in return for that I don't think there is any reason to worry about it. Many of the coins you receive From exchanges or gambling sites are tainted.

[coolcoinz]

Well, hypothetically some dumbass crriminal could sell their dirty coins on a p2p market and the buyer will have an unpleasant talk with law enforcement if they will be identified, for example by moving their coins immediately to a centralized exchange. Does this happen often? Probably not, I never heard about such stories. Lots of people trade on p2p exchanges without such problems.

What's a dirty coin? Since you cannot delete nor destroy bitcoins, provided that bitcoin continues to exist for another 100 years, most coins will be dirty to some extent. We shouldn't make a big deal out of it. You cannot be responsible for what someone else did with their coins. For instance, a lot of coins were taken from onion marketplaces by the police and then put on auctions, so these are "dirty coins" but they will never be clean again.

IMO we should stop worrying about things that we don't control and history of coins we are buying is one of these things.

[hatshepsut93]

What's a dirty coin? Since you cannot delete nor destroy bitcoins, provided that bitcoin continues to exist for another 100 years, most coins will be dirty to some extent.

A coin that has been recently (in terms of time and chain of transactions) used in some criminal activity and is of interest to law enforcement. This isn't a philosophical question, it's a practical question. Centralized exchanges do freeze accounts on requests from law enforcement, and on-chain activity can be one of the reasons to suspect someone.

For instance, a lot of coins were taken from onion marketplaces by the police and then put on auctions, so these are "dirty coins" but they will never be clean again.

IMO we should stop worrying about things that we don't control and history of coins we are buying is one of these things.

Those coins are not dirty because law enforcement is aware that they have been taken from the criminals. But if they seize some darknet servers and find some wallets, they are going to investigate all the transactions, looking for potential accomplices or coins that were moved to other wallets. That's how some bystanders could get caught up, although it's very unlikely to happen on practice.

[OgNasty]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

I've heard of funds being locked or even confiscated due to their origin, but this isn't something I've ever experienced personally.  I've handled a ton of escrows and I'm certain some of those coins had to be tainted, but I've never gotten any pushback from exchanges questioning me on it.  So I think you're probably good unless you're one step removed from some sort of scam or crime.  That being said, if you're going to buy coins via p2p just to move them to an exchange, I'd have to wonder why you don't just use the exchange.  If you're knowingly accepting tainted coins, that's a whole other story, and one you'll like get to tell a judge someday.

[BIT-BENDER]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

It would be hard to get away if the bitcoin you got was it a kind of problem or the other, thats why before your purchase it’s recommended to always do you personal research, many bitcoin vendors also kick again buying bitcoin from an unknown source, with the issues in buying a legit bitcoin I would personally feel all sale of bitcoin should go through a panel

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

The best way to avoid such issues is to buy bitcoin from an exchange rather than buying it from or through peer to peer, For so many years I have bought my bitcoin from an exchange that is decentralized without any issues but with exchanges going centralized this causes a major confusion, but regardless the issue of who should be added to the rebuilding and the rescue show be selected evenly

[Marvelman]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

Well, those bitcoins might have been transferred many many many times before they might reach you! Basically the nodes that will keep creating further will have the connection to previous transaction (input and output, multiple) giving you extra layer of security. Yup many of them will say it could be traced but not down to the seed which was involved with criminal activity, cause that’s just impossible. It’s more or less mixing the coins continuously.

If you still think you received the coins which were involved with criminal activity then just hit Chipmixer, mix your coins and you have fresh lot of coins.

ChipMixer probably offers the best solution, and it's very easy to implement. But, is it possible to get even dirtier coins using ChipMixer?
I'm afraid I don't understand exactly how ChipMixer works, do all the incoming coins mix with other coins or do the coins (chips) go directly from one user to another?

[Kelvinid]

If I purchase bitcoins via p2p, can I get some problems if the bitcoins I get were involved in some criminal activity ? If yes then how do I avoid such situation ?

The best way to avoid such issues is to buy bitcoin from an exchange rather than buying it from or through peer to peer, For so many years I have bought my bitcoin from an exchange that is decentralized without any issues but with exchanges going centralized this causes a major confusion, but regardless the issue of who should be added to the rebuilding and the rescue show be selected evenly

Well, if we talk about the safe place to buy Bitcoin, the use of exchange is highly advisable compared to P2P transactions. However, even if we do P2P transactions, nothing will know it was illegal and simply it can be denied by the seller that it was coming from illegal and much more if they use mixing services.

But yes, as for the comfort and to give peace of mind to OP, it was secure and to have unquestionable transactions if they use an exchange.

[coolcoinz]

What's a dirty coin? Since you cannot delete nor destroy bitcoins, provided that bitcoin continues to exist for another 100 years, most coins will be dirty to some extent.

A coin that has been recently (in terms of time and chain of transactions) used in some criminal activity and is of interest to law enforcement. This isn't a philosophical question, it's a practical question. Centralized exchanges do freeze accounts on requests from law enforcement, and on-chain activity can be one of the reasons to suspect someone.

For instance, a lot of coins were taken from onion marketplaces by the police and then put on auctions, so these are "dirty coins" but they will never be clean again.

IMO we should stop worrying about things that we don't control and history of coins we are buying is one of these things.

Those coins are not dirty because law enforcement is aware that they have been taken from the criminals. But if they seize some darknet servers and find some wallets, they are going to investigate all the transactions, looking for potential accomplices or coins that were moved to other wallets. That's how some bystanders could get caught up, although it's very unlikely to happen on practice.

So it has to be recently used for criminal activity... fine, next time I sell drugs to someone, I'll make sure to hold my coins at least for a year before sending them to someone else.

If you're worried about your accounts being blocked due to unknown origin of your coins just don't use centralized exchanges. P2p is not the only way to exchange money. You can for instance do it in a physical exchange point, where they give you cash for your coins. You can also use an ATM that gives you an address to send coins and pays in cash. These services don't require KYC up to a certain amount of money and don't test your coins for recent illicit activity, which is as it should be everywhere.

Don't use shitty exchanges that block accounts like coinbase and you'll have one less thing to worry about in your life.

[AakZaki]

As long as you buy it and don't get the bitcoins illegally or by criminal means, I don't think anyone will be able to ensnare you or accuse you of criminal activity.
because you bought it with your own money. Maybe it will only be tracked where the itcoin went. you don't have to worry. the safest is also buying on exchanges like binance and such.

[uneng]

You should try to avoid such situations for your good, at least to not have headaches... Of course you won't be condemned or considered guilt of any wrongdoings, since you aren't involved in criminal actions, but you may have some issues during a possible initial investigation, because authorities will want to know what is your relationship with the BTC seller and if you are somehow deeper involved with him and his practices.

So better to not be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Just deal with trustworthy people. You can do this by checking for references before trading.

[Rufsilf]

If that was legally acquired, there is nothing to worry about as it was not the question of where it is come from as it was not necessary to ask it from the seller. As long as your intention is good, that seems okay. I never heard such an issue that Bitcoin has been seized because it was coming from illegal, that only happens if crypto is banned in a particular place or country. But assuming it was allowed in your country, that gonna be fine, you can buy Bitcoin as you can.

But, it was best to know who you are dealing with just to be safe...many scams happen in P2P transactions, you need to be careful otherwise.

[lovesmayfamilis]

In addition, the movement of large transactions always attracts If the OP buys a small amount, I doubt it will attract attention.

Someone said that sooner or later we might accidentally run into dirty bitcoins, but again, large transactions are most interesting for tracking authorities.

[Pandu Geddon]

I am going to buy it from a guy I dont know. So I wont use exchange but I dont know the guy and I have no idea where he got his bitcoins from.

as long as you buy it, and you have proof of the purchase transaction, then I believe no law will bind you.

if possible the seller is arrested for his criminal activities. and tracking related to where Bitcoin is distributed. You may be involved in legal proceedings. but will not bind you as a suspect when you have evidence that will prove that you are the buyer, not a criminal gang.