If Bitcoin is better, why do criminals use it for money laundering?

[ElvorAI]

The fact that criminals can use something doesn't automatically make that thing bad.

Criminals use cash, banks, phones, cars, and the internet too.

The bigger question is whether the system is transparent and traceable.

Unlike cash, Bitcoin transactions are permanently recorded on a public blockchain. In many cases, that makes tracking illicit activity easier, not harder.

No financial system is immune to abuse. The goal is reducing abuse, not expecting it to disappear completely.

[Franctoshi]

I am not against Bitcoin, i just need honest answers that would convince me more about Bitcoin because I'm newly into it. Some news I've seen about Bitcoin is either scam related, like people getting scammed through it on telegram, drug cartels using it to launder money, and criminals stealing from shop owners who use Bitcoin, if it is that better than fiat, why is it possible for criminals to use it or clean their dirty money with it?

Money saved in the bank can be traceable but Bitcoin is anonymous if stored in wallets that doesn't require KYC, isn't that a perfect means of money laundering? Cause it sounds like one to me, so i need explanations why i shouldn't feel it's a perfect means of laundering money for criminals.

Bitcoin is not the only currency that's used for money laundering, drug trafficking and other sorts of illegal activities, Fiat currency is the Chief pioneer and where all these illegal activities has been taking place, So all these stuff has been in existence on before the invention of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency join. However, Criminals will always find a way to disrupt a good system and paint it bad. It's even more easier to trace criminals via Bitcoin than it's to trace someone laundering money using cash.

And that reminds me one event that took place in my area, a fish seller who bought a carton of fish, opened one carton of fish and all she saw was fully packed United States dollars notes inside and she returned it to the police authority, this is to tell you the level of money laundering activities happening through fiat currency.

[KingsDen]

I am not against Bitcoin, i just need honest answers that would convince me more about Bitcoin because I'm newly into it. Some news I've seen about Bitcoin is either scam related, like people getting scammed through it on telegram, drug cartels using it to launder money, and criminals stealing from shop owners who use Bitcoin, if it is that better than fiat, why is it possible for criminals to use it or clean their dirty money with it?

Before bitcoin, there were drug cartels;
Before bitcoin, there were criminals;
Before bitcoin, there wee money launderers
So, people use bitcoin as much as they use fiat for crime, just that bitcoin is botherless, that is why it's more pronounced.

Money saved in the bank can be traceable but Bitcoin is anonymous if stored in wallets that doesn't require KYC, isn't that a perfect means of money laundering? Cause it sounds like one to me, so i need explanations why i shouldn't feel it's a perfect means of laundering money for criminals.

Bitcoin is not anonymous, but if you are privacy conscious, you can achieve anonymity with bitcoin. Also, remember that bitcoin is not called anti-criminal currency or anti-laundry currency.

[Rockstarguy]

Bitcoin is also money, and people can use it however they want. It is not only Bitcoin that is being used for money laundering and other criminal activities; fiat is also used for money laundering as well. If we were to do the statistics on how Bitcoin and fiat have been used for money laundering, fiat would show a higher frequency.

Don't make it look as if people hide behind Bitcoin to conduct their criminal activities. It is not just Bitcoin; fiat is involved too. Bitcoin is also traceable, just like fiat. You need to understand that money will always be used for money laundering, and the reason why scammers scam people is to obtain money. Bitcoin is money, and people will always come after it.

[Stalker22]

I am not against Bitcoin, i just need honest answers that would convince me more about Bitcoin
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You want honest answers?  Bitcoin is better money, even for criminals.  I dont think you can have it both ways.  You either opt for a centralized, government-controlled system that decides who is allowed to use it today, or you choose a neutral, open protocol that does not care who you are.

But if you think drug cartels prefer Bitcoin over fiat, you have been misled by sensational headlines.