I wouldn’t attempt to steal. But OP is assuming some else as stealing. There are many people that could find information about you on the internet. You should never steal bitcoin. You might end up messing with the wrong person.
Topic: Is stealing Bitcoin illegal? - page 20. (Read 39521 times)
Let's say I generate a new address and by some miracle it has Bitcoin already in it belonging to somebody else. Is it legal to just take it? I understand those odds are very low, no need to lecture me, I'm just interested.
Perhaps all of the shares related to bitcoin is illegal if the country in which are held not recognize bitcoin official currency of these operations. This is a very delicate question and the answer can be given only after a specific study of the issue. 
If you accidentally find a private key and you can't know the owner, then its probably not illegal.
Its imposible that you can find a private key in internet for free. unless if you made a private key generator and try to install it in electrum.. Or if you have bought a data base with a lots of private key and addresses and you have a brute force we can say that is an illegal..
The whole point is that it's statically impossible to find private keys, even if you have a number generator. But there is always a random chance of finding a key. That's not stealing.
Hacking into someone's network or phone is stealing.
Finding private key is somewhat impossible as same as others said even if you used number generator its still useless. You are right if you bought a database then its possible to access those accounts thats not yours which is trully an illegal thing to do. At OP if he get those bitcoin on that wallet address then it might not be considered as stealing since if he intend to give back those coins he didnt even know whos the owner of that bitcoin.
If you accidentally find a private key and you can't know the owner, then its probably not illegal.
Its imposible that you can find a private key in internet for free. unless if you made a private key generator and try to install it in electrum.. Or if you have bought a data base with a lots of private key and addresses and you have a brute force we can say that is an illegal..
The whole point is that it's statically impossible to find private keys, even if you have a number generator. But there is always a random chance of finding a key. That's not stealing.
Hacking into someone's network or phone is stealing.
Of course . any actions that harm someone is a crime that deserves punishment.
it's a normal thing, and all things shall be given an appropriate reply.
it's a normal thing, and all things shall be given an appropriate reply.
from the word itself stealing.. its a crime.. so its not legal.. 
If you accidentally find a private key and you can't know the owner, then its probably not illegal.
Its imposible that you can find a private key in internet for free. unless if you made a private key generator and try to install it in electrum.. Or if you have bought a data base with a lots of private key and addresses and you have a brute force we can say that is an illegal..
The reason why someone might think stealing bitcoin is not illegal is because bitcoin is basically "Magic internet money" I first came across it in 2011 , back then I heard rumours that is was dangerous money for hackers so I stayed away from the stuff . I joined the whole bitcoin bandwagon this year and invested in a site called hashocean and boom , they stole my bitcoins . So you ask me , once that commodity , property ,object , entity ,atom or whatever belongs to someone and you even borrow it without his concern its illegal . Bitcoin might be magic money from the air and so is your ideas , so if stealing ideas is illegal , stealing bitcoins is also illegal .
If you accidentally find a private key and you can't know the owner, then its probably not illegal.
Let's say I generate a new address and by some miracle it has Bitcoin already in it belonging to somebody else. Is it legal to just take it? I understand those odds are very low, no need to lecture me, I'm just interested.
How can you steal smth that is not real? It is just bits and bytes
Taking something that is not yours is really illegal may it be bitcoin or anything that you take without any authority from the owner. In the case you've given wherein you accidentally have bitcoin in your wallet upon generating it and you don't know who gave it then it is not stealing because there is no intention. But a chance of this happening is near to impossible.
I don't know where you are located but stealing anything is illegal all around the world, bitcoin is a currency or even according to governments at least a commodity, of course stealing it is considered illegal, Whether the thief gets caught or not is not the question.
Yes i doesnt matter weather you are living in any country stealing anything is an illegal activity and bitcoins is a currency and has a good value in USD or any other currency.So stealing bitcoin certainly would also be an illegal activity doesnt matter in which form you are doing it.That is right just like stealing fiat currency bitcoin is the same just like the recent report on CNN last year about 2 former federal agents charged with stealing Bitcoin during Silk Road probe at $33 million dollar at the time had bring to justice in the court, well I think that is very reliable news source right, so that means even if bitcoin is an online currency stealing bitcoin is also a form of stealing money!
He says he overlapped an address and he got the amount from that address he overlapped from and the owner would have no way to get it back. So would it be stealing to get it to keep for himself or not?
I think you are the one who's not reading here my friend! and just look at OP's first word there that I highlighted
Let's say I generate a new address and by some miracle it has Bitcoin already in it belonging to somebody else. Is it legal to just take it? I understand those odds are very low, no need to lecture me, I'm just interested.
he says there "Let's say" right? that means it is just an example that means he's not referring to a real situation and he is asking if he will take the money is legal and in his last sentence he is just interested to know!
I think you are the one that needs to read first before exclaiming something that my understanding is wrong!
Depend on the law where do you live on.
For example my country are forbid bitcoin usage means for bitcoin holder still can own bitcoin BUT they are not responsible with us for example if your bitcoin got hacked or got steal , cops or law enforcer can't catch the bitcoin thief
For example my country are forbid bitcoin usage means for bitcoin holder still can own bitcoin BUT they are not responsible with us for example if your bitcoin got hacked or got steal , cops or law enforcer can't catch the bitcoin thief
Stealing anything that doesnt yours without the approval of the owner are considered as illegal or one crime. Even if it is just a miracle that you generate an address and has a btc on it the owner will still think that someone still his/her btc.
That is the obvious thing as stealing is really illegal.
But in the case of OP, it was just an accidental event where chances are really low to happen.
And in my case, I will use the accidentally coins in my hand and considered it as blessing lol.
Stealing anything that doesnt yours without the approval of the owner are considered as illegal or one crime. Even if it is just a miracle that you generate an address and has a btc on it the owner will still think that someone still his/her btc.
Yeah. Why people have to think about that. You steal then its wrong. It is a process of getting something from another person without his or her approval. So it is wrong. Simple as that.
I don't know where you are located but stealing anything is illegal all around the world, bitcoin is a currency or even according to governments at least a commodity, of course stealing it is considered illegal, Whether the thief gets caught or not is not the question.
thats true, stealing bitcoins is illegal all around the world and it will surely be like that all the time in my opinion and it is a good thingYou can have your coins safely in a paper wallet that's been generated with a computer that has never been connected with the internet and that would be quite safe to store Bitcoins.
Let's say I generate a new address and by some miracle it has Bitcoin already in it belonging to somebody else. Is it legal to just take it? I understand those odds are very low, no need to lecture me, I'm just interested.
Of course, none of the member in this forum will not say that illegal is good. Any illegal stealing are not good, You are no difference in scammer if that happen into anyone. Maybe you can do donate it in some other foundation or any orphanage, just don't take it.
Stealing anything that doesnt yours without the approval of the owner are considered as illegal or one crime. Even if it is just a miracle that you generate an address and has a btc on it the owner will still think that someone still his/her btc.
Legally, yes, they are the rightful owner, but the problem is you generate it and it's accidental, that means you don't deed something to steal it from his hand.. As long as no one claims it, it's yours, just give it to the owner if they have a proof that it is theirs.. OP and other forumite said that the odd is very high for this to happen..Besides there is no authority you could surrender it to...
Op would have no choice but to get those bitcoin because he doesnt even know whos the owner of the said address. Well it might be considered as stealing because you got someones possesion without permission but still its only an incident , its better to get those bitcoin for sure you would benefit compare if you just let those coins stood still.
Stealing anything that doesnt yours without the approval of the owner are considered as illegal or one crime. Even if it is just a miracle that you generate an address and has a btc on it the owner will still think that someone still his/her btc.
Legally, yes, they are the rightful owner, but the problem is you generate it and it's accidental, that means you don't deed something to steal it from his hand.. As long as no one claims it, it's yours, just give it to the owner if they have a proof that it is theirs.. OP and other forumite said that the odd is very high for this to happen..Besides there is no authority you could surrender it to...
Stealing anything that doesnt yours without the approval of the owner are considered as illegal or one crime. Even if it is just a miracle that you generate an address and has a btc on it the owner will still think that someone still his/her btc.
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