Bitcoin has nothing to do with crime

[m2017]

Bitcoin the same as guns and any armaments does not commit crime by itself.

No, not exactly.

Bitcoin is not a weapon, like guns and armaments are. It can't kill anyone directly. Bitcoin is just money and it should be treated as such.

Whereas the discussions around gun control center around limiting duns from being owned by violent people, the pushback against BTC is mainly from banks, the people who run those banks, and to a lesser extent, conspiracy theorists.

(Banks really hate BTC, so it makes sense that they spread all kinds of rumors about it. But in the end, they can't win against a trillion-dollar asset - and counting.)

Bitcoin is a tool that can be used in two ways: both for good and for harm. Basically, like traditional money. Everyone remembers the story with Silk Road as a means of payment for prohibited goods? In that case, bitcoin had a direct link to criminal activity. If you don't do anything like that, then bitcoin will have nothing to do with crime, which most often happens to most ordinary BTC-users.

If we give an analogy with a weapon, then bitcoin is like a kitchen knife, the use of which is not an illegal activity, but as soon as it is used as a weapon in criminal activity, everything changes immediately. With the help of a kitchen knife, many crimes are committed, although it would seem that this is the most common and harmless tool. That is, I want to say that the criminality of bitcoin will depend on the activities that you conduct. If within the law, then everything is in order.

In order for the public consciousness of the broad masses to change the personification of bitcoin as a tool for criminal activity, which the media most often advertise and exaggerate, cardinal changes must occur, possibly with an increase in value (not so much about the price on the coinmarketcap) and the status of bitcoin as a financial asset.That is, the more weight bitcoin will gain in society, the less will be identified with crime.

[Lorence.xD]

Bitcoin was made for everyone to use for any transactions, which is decentralized so you have the power to control your assets whatever you like. Due to Bitcoin's decentralized system since it's part of the crypto, many people would use it to any thing such as illegal activities. Criminals might love to use Bitcoin since they can anonymously have transactions so I think that also might be the reason why the government would love to centralized it. So they could gather some data and trace the identity of people that involves to any crime. Not only that, some people might use the name of "Bitcoin" just to scam innocent people especially newbies. Since people are already aware on Bitcoin's potential many of them would want to own even 1 BTC, so those people are the most common target of scammers. These could be the reason why some people couldn't even want to acknowledge Bitcoin due to this issues because in banks they have the liability to secure your funds.

[shivansps]

It is a question of how to use this freedom.
This is the same as saying that money is evil. They can bring peace to the earth and good things can be done with their help, but also something very bad can happen with their help. It's a matter of how to use it.
Also with bitcoin. The secrecy that Bitcoin gives is very good in general, but in some individual situations, because of this, some financial crimes may be committed that are not disclosed due to secrecy.
In my country, it is very common for drug dealers to settle accounts with people who carry and hide drugs with bitcoins, because these money transfers are much more difficult to trace and later prove.

[tygeade]

Absolutely right! Even though, if we let our reasoning run its course, criminals employing Bitcoin for transactions aren't fundamentally different from those using USD for other illicit deeds. Bitcoin receives a disproportionately critical treatment from the anti-Bitcoin faction, as if every new currency launch is preordained to garner their disapproval. Yet, the disparity with the USD is minimal.

For any currency is inherently susceptible to exploitation, and Bitcoin lacks the agency to pick its users; it's the users who choose Bitcoin. It's grossly unjust that this constant negative framing is consistently aimed at Bitcoin.

Remember! Don't forget that the whole point of Bitcoin is to be this alternative exchange tool built on the concept of Blockchain. Whoever uses Bitcoin for some weird stuff, well, that doesn't actually change the core purpose of Bitcoin as intended by its creators.

This has been the most important part of it all. I mean before 2008 when bitcoin was invented, didn't we already had crime? So much so that we had criminals with billions of dollars as well. This means that bitcoin didn't change anything, criminals are still criminals and there is nothing we can do to stop that and should realize that this is the only way to go.

I understand that it may not be the best thing in the world to have this but that's just the reality we have to live with. I get that people are living in a different world nowadays and it will not end up being any good, but as long as we end up with a good result one day, that's going to be something I could see no contribution from bitcoin at all.

[mirakal]

Bitcoin is only a currency, so how can it promotes crime? If there is crime, it’s not the tool that should be blamed but the people who are directly involved in doing such crimes. And if crimes have increased, it’s not because of the privacy that bitcoin offers, but because of fiat that is used for fraud and money laundering. And it’s only now that bitcoin has been known and used as a currency, while fiat has been used the same, obviously longer than bitcoin exists.

[skarais]

Bitcoin was made for everyone to use for any transactions, which is decentralized so you have the power to control your assets whatever you like. Due to Bitcoin's decentralized system since it's part of the crypto, many people would use it to any thing such as illegal activities. Criminals might love to use Bitcoin since they can anonymously have transactions so I think that also might be the reason why the government would love to centralized it. So they could gather some data and trace the identity of people that involves to any crime. Not only that, some people might use the name of "Bitcoin" just to scam innocent people especially newbies. Since people are already aware on Bitcoin's potential many of them would want to own even 1 BTC, so those people are the most common target of scammers. These could be the reason why some people couldn't even want to acknowledge Bitcoin due to this issues because in banks they have the liability to secure your funds.

Absolutely, and I agree with your assumptions. Bitcoin are money that can basically be used legally or for the right thing and vice versa. Bitcoin cannot be blamed for its wrong use cases, it is one of the unavoidable things about a currency. It's exactly the same status as any other means of payment, I mean it's always the potential to be used for the wrong purposes.

So even if bitcoin is also being used in ways that are not true in its use case, this is not the fault of bitcoin itself. Crime and acts of crime exist not only because bitcoin exists, but bitcoin is only used for smooth transactions for them.

[lionheart78]

Bitcoin was made for everyone to use for any transactions, which is decentralized so you have the power to control your assets whatever you like. Due to Bitcoin's decentralized system since it's part of the crypto, many people would use it to any thing such as illegal activities. Criminals might love to use Bitcoin since they can anonymously have transactions so I think that also might be the reason why the government would love to centralized it. So they could gather some data and trace the identity of people that involves to any crime. Not only that, some people might use the name of "Bitcoin" just to scam innocent people especially newbies. Since people are already aware on Bitcoin's potential many of them would want to own even 1 BTC, so those people are the most common target of scammers. These could be the reason why some people couldn't even want to acknowledge Bitcoin due to this issues because in banks they have the liability to secure your funds.

But using Bitcoin buying illegal items does not mean that Bitcoin does those crimes.  It is the person behind who do those purchases that is committing crimes, Bitcoin just like any fiat currency is just used to buy services and items.  I think those who are anti-Bitcoin spread propaganda and intentionally twisted facts making other people believe that Bitcoin enables crime.  Just think of the comparision between fiat currency and Bitcoin and which one is highly used for money laundering and buying illegal trades.  We can see that Bitcoin transactions used in illegal trades can't be compared to how fiat currency is being used for crimes.  After all fiat currency is being used for illegal trades even before Bitcoin is created.

[The Cryptovator]

Criminals will continue to exist whether Bitcoin is present or not. Crime existed before the discovery of Bitcoin. Decentralized attributes sometimes attract criminals to use Bitcoin for ransom or payments, but Bitcoin itself isn't inherently linked to criminal activities. Criminals might resort to using fiat even in the absence of Bitcoin. Criminals will always seek methods to secure themselves, and Bitcoin might be one of their choices. The decentralized nature makes prevention challenging.

[MinoRaiola]

Bitcoin is not a reason for monetary crime,  bitcoin is just for everyone and does not discriminate but accept everyone.

Nicely written and for the most parts correct, but there are reasons for crime. There are also with cash, but with cryptocurrencies it is faster and safer. Recently I read a report from drug cartels in Colombia, who are happy that they no longer have to send cash in bags. With cryptocurrencies, it takes just a few seconds and deals are supposed to be quick. It has become easier for them to send the money, but not the drugs.

The same is true for cash and I would bet that every one of us has illegal money in our hands. The money may have been used in illegal deals in the past, but we dont know.

[jaberwock]

A lot of people do not see the same level of anonymity that "cash" gives to criminals ..than what Bitcoin gives to people. This is why there are a global shift to eliminate "cash" and to replace it with centralized digital technologies.

The governments of the world hate any technology that can reduce their control.... they need to know everything about people's finances. They need to know everything about your finances, because it pays their salaries with the taxes you have to pay to them. 

I think it's quite obvious that there will be a lot of people who will always feel that it's not going to be an easy thing to handle but the reality is that we are facing a situation that will be quite easy to handle if we know what we are doing and we are aware of the situation.

This is the reason why I think it's quite important to see this going differently and I think it's going to be something that will matter on the long run. Hopefully there will be some people who know what they are doing and will find a way to make it clear to people that crime is crime, no matter what currency you use and it's always going to be a trouble and there will always be criminals and the existence of bitcoin doesn't change a thing.

[usekevin]

Some people of the society thing,the bitcoin is the reason for the criminal activities was increased.But they should understand the criminal will find the other way for the transaction,even if the bitcoin not exist.Bitcoin was getting their positive approach in the economy now.Because many bitcoin traders are paying some taxes to the government and most of the countries made the bitcoin as the legal tender.So bitcoin now supporting the economy of most of the developing countries which was not done by their government.

[Bushdark]

Some people of the society thing,the bitcoin is the reason for the criminal activities was increased.But they should understand the criminal will find the other way for the transaction,even if the bitcoin not exist.Bitcoin was getting their positive approach in the economy now.Because many bitcoin traders are paying some taxes to the government and most of the countries made the bitcoin as the legal tender.So bitcoin now supporting the economy of most of the developing countries which was not done by their government.

Just like op had explain, Bitcoin has nothing to do with crime so we all for those that do not know anything about Bitcoin should see the difference between Bitcoin and crime. Just like fiat currency is always used for crime, Bitcoin can also be used for crime but it is not as safe as we might thing.

Bitcoin uses for crime is not even safe like when they use fiat because the wallet can be tracked using different sophisticated devices to get to the root of the scammer or fraudster location. Bitcoin is safe for everyone to use and we don't have to attach it to crime just like those that are Bitcoin pessimistic used to admit.

[_BlackStar]

Money has always the potential to be abuse regardless of its purpose - not just bitcoin, but fiat too. Bitcoin, which is known to have a high value and meets the requirements as a means of payment, is also an option for abuse from several groups - not only criminals, but some corrupt officials also take advantage of the technology.

Bitcoin has nothing to do with crime - of course, but criminals can abuse it. Regardless of the technology it carries - bitcoins are the most sensibly abused option by them although some of them are still traceable. I'm against abuse - but it can't be completely prevented.

[freedomgo]

Right indeed. Bitcoin is just a tool, it can never be used to create crime all by itself. Same goes to fiat. My point is it’s not the currency that becomes the source of crime, it’s actually those people who have hunger to own big amount of money even committing a crime on the side.

Also, bitcoin’s anonymity is not designed to create a crime, but it’s for the individual’s freedom to enjoy their money without the government controlling them, and without any third party that will interrupt in their funds. Well, a lot could misinterpret this but if they do their own diligence to research about bitcoin, they will understand that it’s never designed to create crimes in the first place.

[panganib999]

I am completely in agreement with you dude. Like all these people proposing that bitcoin harbor criminals just cause it's being used every now and again for money laundering and scamming is are dumbfucks in my opinion. Like if that would be their argument then that makes fiat an even bigger problem yeah? Cause at the end of the day it's the main driver for all these crimes anyway! If anything bitcoin even deters these people from getting their money since most of the readily usable exchanges where you could convert your crypto to fiat is centralized, and the moment they recognize your money's supposed to be someone else's, they'd literally freeze your assets. Does that happen in fiat as much as it happens in crypto? I don't think so!

[Iranus]

Right indeed. Bitcoin is just a tool, it can never be used to create crime all by itself. Same goes to fiat. My point is it’s not the currency that becomes the source of crime, it’s actually those people who have hunger to own big amount of money even committing a crime on the side.

Also, bitcoin’s anonymity is not designed to create a crime, but it’s for the individual’s freedom to enjoy their money without the government controlling them, and without any third party that will interrupt in their funds. Well, a lot could misinterpret this but if they do their own diligence to research about bitcoin, they will understand that it’s never designed to create crimes in the first place.

Those who spread bitcoins that are involved in crime or create crime are mostly government and people who hate bitcoin. I think they don't misunderstand bitcoin but they are intentionally spreading misinformation to keep people away from bitcoin. It can be said that these are just actions stemming from jealousy and selfishness of some people.

Bitcoin, fiat or any other asset, they are all just tools created for the purpose of serving people and what they are used for is up to each person. If bitcoin is made for criminals, are big investors like Elon or MicroStrategy criminals too?

[fuguebtc]

-.-
 Before bitcoin  started  existing monetary crime have been existing.  Bitcoin is not a reason for monetary crime,  bitcoin is just for everyone and does not discriminate but accept everyone.

Bitcoin has only been around for 14 years, while crime and fiat money have been around for hundreds of years, but strangely, we have never heard any complaints about fiat being involved crime and we should get rid of it. It is clear that there are manipulations and misrepresentations that are being spread to tarnish the reputation of bitcoin. Therefore, those who are believing that bitcoin is involved in crime are stupid people.
I agree with some opinions here, bitcoin is just a tool, a currency and what we use it for is up to us. Just because bitcoin is used by criminals and says it is involved in crime, let's not refute that argument for fiat.

[xSkylarx]

Some people of the society thing,the bitcoin is the reason for the criminal activities was increased.But they should understand the criminal will find the other way for the transaction,even if the bitcoin not exist.Bitcoin was getting their positive approach in the economy now.Because many bitcoin traders are paying some taxes to the government and most of the countries made the bitcoin as the legal tender.So bitcoin now supporting the economy of most of the developing countries which was not done by their government.

Even if the cash you are holding right now was also used on illegal activities, that is really the point. They somewhat think that Bitcoin was only used on illegal things, even if the cash in their wallet was also used on illegal transactions. It is really because they lack knowledge about Bitcoin, and also because the news is somewhat misleading. It is the same with people that got interviewed and say that they got scammed in Bitcoin.

[mindrust]

If bitcoin was enabling scams, so is the USD (and gold). Banning bitcoin for this is as stupid as banning gold or usd. And bitcoin is not even fully anonymous unlike monero and yet even monero don't deserve to be banned. Privacy is a human right and it cannot be banned. I am purchasing something for whatever reason and nobody needs to know about it That's my right and whoever don't agree with it can fuck right off.

Then there is this little Schwab bitch says:


https://twitter.com/wef/status/804549664439762945

"Welcome to 2030. I own nothing, have no privacy, and life has never been better."

[Furious 7]

Bitcoin is only a currency, so how can it promotes crime? If there is crime, it’s not the tool that should be blamed but the people who are directly involved in doing such crimes. And if crimes have increased, it’s not because of the privacy that bitcoin offers, but because of fiat that is used for fraud and money laundering. And it’s only now that bitcoin has been known and used as a currency, while fiat has been used the same, obviously longer than bitcoin exists.

This is what must be understood. Everyone has a different perspective when it comes to technology and everything that has a price will definitely have some irresponsible people who make it an object of criminality.
Bitcoin is one of the objects that is currently very valuable so it will definitely be visited by people who want more in the wrong way. and of course the one to blame is not the object but the person who did it. bitcoin is not wrong because the purpose of bitcoin was not made for that, it's just that irresponsible people like this who make bitcoin tainted.

I've been saying this since the beginning but it seems like the anti bitcoin people are always saying nonsense about bitcoin being a crime but they don't want the facts because they say that almost every year in order to undermine bitcoin.