Flatfly's Ultimate Guide to Anonymous Transactions

[flatfly]

I often get asked how a Bitcoin transaction can be made anonymously.

As the answer is not that simple, and I couldn't find a hands-on document on this subject,
I've tried to compile the research I've done so far in an easy-to-read guide, which can be found there.

It's still very much a work in progress, so feel free to analyze, comment or point out any mistakes, omissions, or inaccuracies. I know it can still be improved in many ways, but I hope it can answer some of the most common concerns about Bitcoin and anonymous transactions already.

[Stephen Gornick]

Would accessing Blockchain.info/wallet via Tor pretty much give you everything you need?  

 Tor + CoinControl?

 - http://Blockchain.info/wallet

[flatfly]

Would accessing Blockchain.info/wallet via Tor pretty much give you everything you need?  

 Tor + CoinControl?

 - http://Blockchain.info/wallet

The custom send function of BlockChain.info does look pretty nice (I wasn't aware
of its CoinControl-like capability) and it's great that you can easily access it via Tor!

However, there are also 2 cons I can identify with it:

- change address:
 while it allows some control over the change address, it doesn't support
 specifying an arbitrary change address, as far as I can see.

- I guess you do need to trust the Blockchain.info server not to spy / keep
  usage data on you

However, I will test it some more as I do think it is very promising.

In the meantime, I have updated and rewritten large portions of my guide, and the
approach and ideas are presented in a more consistent way now.

[kangasbros]

The easiest way is to use a web wallet. However this only works if you trust the site operator.

[Endgame]

i'm not sure how happy tor users will be if people start downloading the blockchain through tor

[bitcats]

It would be great to have buttons for offline transactions in the Electrum GUI (not only on the command line).

[flatfly]

i'm not sure how happy tor users will be if people start downloading the blockchain through tor

Indeed. I hope Bitcoin-Qt will be smart enough not to download the blockchain itself through Tor.

Here's what's been announced so far for 0.7.0, re Tor support:

We're very close to adding much improved Tor support to Bitcoin, so it will most likely be in 0.7.0.

Among other things:

• Support for running as and connecting to Bitcoin hidden services
• Peer exchange of Bitcoin hidden services
• Non-leaking DNS seeding via proxy

[bitcats]

My dream: finding a Bitcoin-related job! I would probably say YES right away!

I have a job to offer: Creating a small but fine website for 80 BTC.

[flatfly]

My dream: finding a Bitcoin-related job! I would probably say YES right away!

I have a job to offer: Creating a small but fine website for 80 BTC.

Wow that was fast, I just updated my signature 5 minutes ago
I'm not the greatest website expert, but PM me with more details on your requirements
to see what's possible.

[Ente]

Thank you for your guide. It looks good!
However, one big obstacle was not covered yet: How to get Bitcoin to begin with? I definitely do not trust MtGox on this one.
One could mine on p2pool, where no registration is needed (nor possible) and you receive Bitcoin right from the coinbase of the mined block.
Or trade Bitcoin offline, swap cash with a usb stick.
Or, if you trust the concept and operator, use a tumbler to wash your initial coins. TORwallet comes to mind, among a few others.

Thanks for compiling all this, this is important knowledge!

Ente

[flatfly]

Thank you for your guide. It looks good!
However, one big obstacle was not covered yet: How to get Bitcoin to begin with? I definitely do not trust MtGox on this one.
One could mine on p2pool, where no registration is needed (nor possible) and you receive Bitcoin right from the coinbase of the mined block.
Or trade Bitcoin offline, swap cash with a usb stick.
Or, if you trust the concept and operator, use a tumbler to wash your initial coins. TORwallet comes to mind, among a few others.

Thanks for compiling all this, this is important knowledge!

Ente

Thanks a lot for your feedback and suggestions!
I agree that a section on getting anonymous BTC to start with would be good to add. I will look into it some more.

[bitcats]

I agree that a section on getting anonymous BTC to start with would be good to add. I will look into it some more.

The easiest way is to send me EUR and i send you clean, anonymous and nice-looking bitcoins 

[CoinDiner]

@bitcats   Is that a serious offer?

[bitcats]

@bitcats   Is that a serious offer?

Yes with SEPA transfer (takes 2 days). I guess you are not in Germany?