Don’t involve Bitcoin in illegal practices

[Peanutswar]

Before its all about the illegal with the bitcoin reason why people are afraid to get into the cryptocurrency and this is the reason why people are afraid to make in with the crypto adding into it is the movies using the crypto or the bitcoin for bad influence as their mode of payment but if you see the otherside its all about the user how they will use the bitcoin itself like us we are using the bitcoin into a transaction, use to buy goods and services and etc. and now recently people now are widely accepting the use of the bitcoin and getting shifted into a good image but there are some like scams but now they are now aware of it so if we keep having a good image with the bitcoin possible might attract more people and good investors too.

[Rustam Meraj]

Well, the first thing we should need to understand is that Bitcoin by itself is not a scam.  Bitcoin is used to scam people, like Bitcoin believers who have used Bitcoin to scam people. So it is not Bitcoin's fault while the one who uses it is. Bitcoin itself was introduced for welfare by Satoshi, not for scams or criminal activities.  Later people misused it and made it infamous. So it means to say that Bitcoin is not a scam the one who uses it wrong is a criminal just like Knife itself is not a wrong thing the one who uses it wrong is a criminal. The one who misuses Bitcoin is called to criminal and scammer not a Bitcoin....

Besides that, I would recommend that newbies first emphasize understanding the privacy stance because only by understanding it can you avoid scams.

You are right that Bitcoin is not scam. It is technology that was made to help people by Satoshi Nakamoto. But like any tool some people can use it for bad things. It is very important to know difference between Bitcoin and people who use it to do bad things. Like you gave an example knife can be used for good or bad works just like this Bitcoin can be used for good transactions or for scams and crimes. Your advice to new people is very good. It is very important to understand how to keep your information private and safe. This will help you avoid scams and protect your money. If people learn how to use Bitcoin safely and are careful they can get benefits of Bitcoin without taking too many risks.

[Reynaldo]

It acknowledges the criticism while presenting a more nuanced view without being defensive.

[AmaGold70]

In previous years, Bitcoin was known to be involved in many fraudulent activities such as Silk Road, which has been an illegal Darknet market for drugs and weapons. Bitcoin was a big strategy by criminals but luckily, Bitcoin has become more mainstream and criminals were caught. Today, Bitcoin is known for being a reliable digital transactions asset but still some Bitcoin is involved in criminal activities.
Reliable Blockchain companies such as Chainalysis have helped to discover more crimes and make Bitcoin more reliable.

Even if goods sold by criminals are cheaper, don’t buy such goods! Often, criminals have also sold some drugs or weapons previously and such Bitcoin will be from criminals.
Possibly, you’ll also get hacked if someone will place a malicious file in a mail attachement. Be very careful! Better safe than sorry!

It is up to us to improve Bitcoin and get rid from fraudulent and illegal activities involving Bitcoin. We should not support fraudulent and illegal activities, we should not protect criminals or scammers. Bitcoin is very useful but if some criminals will use Bitcoin to purchase a weapon, where possibly people are murdered from, Bitcoin will take damage and we should not support it.
Bitcoin has improved impressively since Silk Road was busted and Bitcoin growing will help Bitcoin to get independent from criminals and scammers.

Beginners should pay attention to avoid falling for criminals and scammers. Criminals and scammers are very deceitful.

Bitcoin, right from its creation wasn't made to be bad but then it's like a tool that can be used for good or bad purposes, when dealing with Bitcoin I'm always extra careful with the people I'm dealing with, as good ambassadors of Bitcoin we need to be extra vigilant and make sure that we are not supporting any fraudulent activity under our noses, we need to be on the lookout for each other and Bitcoin if we really want to eliminate scams in the crypto space, fraudulent activity can't be erased completely but we can help reduce it.

[Ndabagi01]

Bitcoin has become a place where scammers and fraudsters wants to exploit. They don’t care about the good representative of bitcoin they should become since it was a developing technology that needed to gain the big trust of people to actually invest into them. The bitcoin market is very wide and due to its versatility, scammers always coin out a new method to scam away their victims after an old method has been depicted and warning sent out to newbies to be aware of. It is true that we can’t easily stop the illegal use of bitcoin by scammers, but when we make good use of the technology legally, it will override how this scammers use it illegally. Bitcoin is here to stay, and should be represented well in the best of ways.

[Wiwo]

If we purposely aim for future global adoption, as much as possible we should avoid linking bitcoin into different illegal acts, otherwise bitcoin will lose its credibility as a digital currency and totally lose the future opportunity that is stored for bitcoin. Let’s not drag bitcoin into illicit practices. Bitcoin has a lot of advantages and I know if all of these will be done rightly and responsibly, in the end we will also be the one to benefit the most.

The use of Bitcoin for illegal transactions has given bitcoin a negative image in public eyes, but then we have to know that in as much as criminals make attempts to conceal their illegal acts, its still very clear that bitcoin is just a tool in their hands and if the government doesn't step up the games in cracking down criminals through other means, it will be very hard for Individuals to do so and just like the traditional fiat currency are heavily used for illegal deal same as bitcoin I can't be avoided.

But as for us, the law-abiding citizens and bitcoin ambassadors it's necessary for us to act in the most respected ways to lead by example and to avoid any action that could further put bitcoin in a moremoreative light in the public.

[ThemePen]

The use of Bitcoin for illegal transactions has given bitcoin a negative image in public eyes, but then we have to know that in as much as criminals make attempts to conceal their illegal acts, its still very clear that bitcoin is just a tool in their hands and if the government doesn't step up the games in cracking down criminals through other means, it will be very hard for Individuals to do so and just like the traditional fiat currency are heavily used for illegal deal same as bitcoin I can't be avoided.

But as for us, the law-abiding citizens and bitcoin ambassadors it's necessary for us to act in the most respected ways to lead by example and to avoid any action that could further put bitcoin in a moremoreative light in the public.

Bitcoin reputation has been hurt because some of us use it for illegal things but we need to remember that Bitcoin is just tool and how people use it does not define its value. Just like regular money Bitcoin can be used for bad things but that is not its fault. It is not up to individual people to stop crime that is  job of governments and police. As people who follow rules and support Bitcoin we need to behave well and set good example. If we do we can help change way people think about Bitcoin and show that it can be used for good things.

[Ever-young]

Bitcoin reputation has been hurt because some of us use it for illegal things but we need to remember that Bitcoin is just tool and how people use it does not define its value. Just like regular money Bitcoin can be used for bad things but that is not its fault. It is not up to individual people to stop crime that is  job of governments and police. As people who follow rules and support Bitcoin we need to behave well and set good example. If we do we can help change way people think about Bitcoin and show that it can be used for good things.

A lot of people who knew about Bitcoin, were told about by scammers, lured into making fake Bitcoin investments or trading. And ever since they discovered they’ve been scammed, rather than blaming the scammers, they blame Bitcoin instead, and ever since, they believe Bitcoin is nothing but another Ponzi scheme. But just as you’ve rightly said, it’s crucial to understand that Bitcoin is nothing but a tool and different people have different ways they use it. Mr. A might be using it for scam doesn’t mean That’s what it’s generally meant for. And Mr. B might be trading Bitcoin and losing lots of money, doesn’t mean that Mr. C who is a long term investor is also losing money like that.

[Zanab247]

Bitcoin has become a place where scammers and fraudsters wants to exploit. They don’t care about the good representative of bitcoin they should become since it was a developing technology that needed to gain the big trust of people to actually invest into them. The bitcoin market is very wide and due to its versatility, scammers always coin out a new method to scam away their victims after an old method has been depicted and warning sent out to newbies to be aware of. It is true that we can’t easily stop the illegal use of bitcoin by scammers, but when we make good use of the technology legally, it will override how this scammers use it illegally. Bitcoin is here to stay, and should be represented well in the best of ways.

That is why you don't need to take some things serious when you know that the conversation with the person look like scammers, than to be very careful to do what they ask you to do because the moment you begin to do what they ask you to do to enjoy the offer, they have succeed to scam you. Scammers know that many people are into BTC investment, that is why they like to bring  some method to scam BTC users but those that have the knowledge of BTC and how scammers use to operate will not pay attention to any method they will use.

Even fiat money some people are using it to scam people, by bringing some items that will look like were people can earn money when they invest than to discover is a way to scam people, but is not easy to scam people that understand how BTC work in the industry.

[Dunamisx]

Over a long time now, many have been thinking otherwise about the existence so bitcoin for what it stand to give, but the fact remains that most of them were only working by what they feel to be, which are not it at all, we should not join in support over the illegal use of bitcoin.

As for bitcoin privacy which we all deserves at any point, some will tells that they are only using mixers to secure their privacy through them, while some will be there condemning on the act thinking that only scammers and hackers make use of mixers to secure their privacy.

[tabas]

Even fiat money some people are using it to scam people, by bringing some items that will look like were people can earn money when they invest than to discover is a way to scam people, but is not easy to scam people that understand how BTC work in the industry.

Not only some people. But you check out your emails and it's very likely that you've got a bunch of emails trying to scam you with their BS with those inheritance fake and scam letter of guarantees. And they have also moved to the Bitcoin inheritance or locked amount or any other reason that they're trying to tell us. While people who understands BTC can't easily be scammed but, it's sad that there is still a lot from this herd that can get scammed because of their greediness.

[Alpha Marine]

I think the whole talk of bitcoin being used for crimes is being exaggerated by the government and its parataters and the media. There is no crime being committed with bitcoin that is not committed with other currencies. More money is laundered with dollars than it is with bitcoin. More crimes are committed with government-approved currencies than it is done with bitcoin, so I don't understand why they act like bitcoin created new crimes and increased the crime rate by 500%.

People will commit crimes with anything possible. Bitcoin even make it more difficult because its transparent. I know crimes are committed with bitcoin, and we should abstain from such things, but lets not buy into the propaganda that bitcoin is used for crimes.

[Outhue]

Between fiat and Bitcoin, which is more useful for criminals around the world? I think Fiat won this debate already, lack of understanding the blockchain was why many criminals started using Bitcoin and this was even part of the reasons the US ended up seizing many Bitcoin in the past.

They failed to understand the system yet they choose to start using the technology, only to end up been traced, till this date some scammers still believe that Bitcoin is untraceable, they are dead wrong.

I'd you have scammed someone using Bitcoin and you believe that you've escaped you will eventually get caught, the reason why you are still free now is because of the amount stolen isn't alarming enough, mind you someone somewhere might already be on your tracks.

[Mpamaegbu]

Today, Bitcoin is known for being a reliable digital transactions asset but still some Bitcoin is involved in criminal activities.

Criminals will always find ways of utilizing anything that stands as money and exchanges for goods and serves to their advantage. It doesn't even have to be Bitcoin. It can be anything. Anyone criminalizing Bitcoin because of that doesn't truly understand how money works. Criminals also use fiat. Has that blacklisted fiat? Of course, not.

Beginners should pay attention to avoid falling for criminals and scammers. Criminals and scammers are very deceitful.

This is very important. That's why we should also adhere to warnings on P2P concerning not dealing with Third Party accounts. We should ensure that merchant's name marches with their registered name on the site. Don't accept any excuse on that. Most of them who do that are insidious and waiting for the right time to strike.

[BlackBoss_]

Between fiat and Bitcoin, which is more useful for criminals around the world? I think Fiat won this debate already, lack of understanding the blockchain was why many criminals started using Bitcoin and this was even part of the reasons the US ended up seizing many Bitcoin in the past.

2025 Crypto crime report from Chainalysis. BTC has had smaller percent in on-chain crime by assests from 2020 to 2024, represents in the second bar chart.

Nearly 2 million money laundering accounts reported in 2024.

According to NASDAQ’s 2024 Global Financial Crime Report, $3.1 trillion in illicit funds flowed through the global financial system last year alone.

You can compare this figure with the following figure.

According to our metrics today, it looks like 2024 saw a drop in value received by illicit cryptocurrency addresses to a total of $40.9 billion

$3.1T and $40.9B, what is a bigger figure?

And $40.9B is not only from Bitcoin!

[RockBell]

Before its all about the illegal with the bitcoin reason why people are afraid to get into the cryptocurrency and this is the reason why people are afraid to make in with the crypto adding into it is the movies using the crypto or the bitcoin for bad influence as their mode of payment but if you see the otherside its all about the user how they will use the bitcoin itself like us we are using the bitcoin into a transaction, use to buy goods and services and etc. and now recently people now are widely accepting the use of the bitcoin and getting shifted into a good image but there are some like scams but now they are now aware of it so if we keep having a good image with the bitcoin possible might attract more people and good investors too.

and I don't think Bitcoin is enough that will want to make people want to go into fraud because most times people want to do things out of greed so they will want to go the extra mile just to see if they will and this is the reason why people have a lot of doubt about bitcoin because there is a lot of fraudulent activities and this why even the government is having issues legalizing it because there people that use it for money laundry and one way or the other they always get Got.

and the initiative of using it to buy goods and services is a good idea but it has to be determined by either the spender or the person that is receiving because people don't want to even consider the fact that their assets are more important so it will be better to a receiver than spending because its an asset to me and I won't see it as a currency but since it is possible to exchange values there won't be need to actually worry on anything.

[Nwada001]

Bitcoin, right from its creation wasn't made to be bad but then it's like a tool that can be used for good or bad purposes, when dealing with Bitcoin I'm always extra careful with the people I'm dealing with, as good ambassadors of Bitcoin we need to be extra vigilant and make sure that we are not supporting any fraudulent activity under our noses, we need to be on the lookout for each other and Bitcoin if we really want to eliminate scams in the crypto space, fraudulent activity can't be erased completely but we can help reduce it.

How are we going to make sure we are not supporting or promoting bad actors under our noses? You can only create awareness, but you can't stop people from using bitcoin for illegal practices; they can be doing it under your nose without your knowledge. I like your last paragraph; using bitcoin or any crypto by scammers can never be stopped. You can try to reduce it, but it will keep on growing because crypto is not the problem, but those people using it are.

[Nheer]

Even now as I am writing this, there might be someone or a group out there who might be using bitcoin for negative purposes so no matter how you do is that you can't do anything about it. It's only natural that those kind of people will find a way like a loophole to use it for illegal activities such as weapons, drugs or whatever it is just like in fiat currency. As others have said, there's always a positive and negative side about a currency either if it is a fiat currency or cryptocurreny.

Of course scammers and criminals are everywhere always trying to come up with a different initiative to deceive people or carryout criminal activities using Bitcoin to hide their tracks tarnishing the name of bitcoin for us. You're right, no matter what we do nothing can be done to stop them but the least we can do is to just keep reminding people about using Bitcoin for criminal activities it might touch someone someday just like OP is doing so don't underestimate these reminders.
There are always good and bad people in this life so we can't all be good people if not the world be kind of boring Lol. Let's just hope we don't fall in the hands of bad people and always fight against any act that wants to spoil Bitcoin's name.

[btcltcdigger]

How are we going to make sure we are not supporting or promoting bad actors under our noses? You can only create awareness, but you can't stop people from using bitcoin for illegal practices; they can be doing it under your nose without your knowledge. I like your last paragraph; using bitcoin or any crypto by scammers can never be stopped. You can try to reduce it, but it will keep on growing because crypto is not the problem, but those people using it are.

This is mainly why regulation has been such a hot topic in the past few years. People usually don't like regulation, because we don't want to pay taxes on our crypto. However, regulation is sure to atleast hinder the negative use of crypto. It can't fully stop it, but reduce it, sure. Unfortunately, in every good thing there's bad things, and vice versa

[promise444c5]

If we purposely aim for future global adoption, as much as possible we should avoid linking bitcoin into different illegal acts, otherwise bitcoin will lose its credibility as a digital currency and totally lose the future opportunity that is stored for bitcoin. Let’s not drag bitcoin into illicit practices. Bitcoin has a lot of advantages and I know if all of these will be done rightly and responsibly, in the end we will also be the one to benefit the most.

Illegal acts attached to Bitcoin can't stop it global adoption, neither does it stop any of it's benefits and also,  you can only the spread the awareness , persuade people into using it legally  but still doesn't  change the fact it will still  be used for illegal activities..Fiat and likes are also used for illegal activ.. just as everyone mentioned here already, nothing is really changing.. The aim of Bitcoin  is to promote  decentralization which means, you have total control of your coins, it could be traced by anyone  but every user behind each transaction is supposed to be anonymous (unless there has been some connection to the identity somehow).