the reason he was sentenced is that he served as an exchange, therefore money transmitter. He wasn't buying and selling crypto only for his purposes, but obviously running business exchanging bitcoin for fiat.
So what is the difference to someone who has been hodling long term, and decides to make in person deals for BTC, or even escrowed deals through the forum if both participants are in the
US. Would they also be charged? or is there some other trigger I am missing?
That's the question I'm asking myself after having read the article.
What stopped all these guys from buying bitcoins on exchange? Why would they meet in a McDonald's parking lot?
The purchases in question were made by federal agents; who were looking to lay charges.
I'm trying to find out more information as to what law was actually broken and what triggered it; prior to him not caring about the illegal means the money apparently came from.
I myself don't know what the problem is with this guy selling bitcoin in person.
I'm really looking for why he was being investigated in the first place, because without the undercover operation how did they know he was doing anything illegal.
