I read all of the comments. Some people didn't like the change in policy at all, of course, but continuing with the status quo isn't going to happen. Some people found the policy too vague/subjective.
Of course. It will be extremely hard to make every body happy and you will not make every body happy. Some people were already unhappy before you even said anything and will be happier with the new policy. A few people will leave no matter the change.
Anyway. Thank you for continuing to listen and I do hope this is not you leaning over the Enemy boat and obeying fully. We already had enough traitors and I hope you are the last to give up on us.
What do people think about this version of the policy? Does anyone think that it's worse than the original version, and if so, why? Are there any possible improvements (which wouldn't totally undermine the whole thing)?
I am sticking to my own beliefs and I presume you already know what I think about either the first or last version of the policy. But since what I wish can not come true, I will comment on this situation ignoring previous points I tried to make.
I am not entirely sure whether by 'the new policy' you meant the ENTIRE initial thread is replaced or only a part of it so I will comment about your original definition of Mixers. Particularly, Mixers with Know Your Customers continuing to be allowed. Probably under a new name because I presume they will not want to be categorized as 'Mixers' no more.
I believe either you ban ALL Mixers or you let them all roam free. Know Your Customer being one of the ways you separate 'good' from 'bad' Mixers opens up a way for more BAD things than good things to happen in the future. It includes and opens up ways for more of the bad guys.
First, it helps the 'Tainted' vs 'Clean' Bitcoin and 'Privacy is for criminals' narrative tremendously. See how Wasabi thinks it is better to have Blockchain Analysis ban UTXOs from Coin Joins while using the very malicious 'So you say you would support SBF have Privacy on his Coins?' narrative. By allowing Know Your Customer enabled Mixers only, all new or existing Mixers may start implementing Know Your Customer policies to avoid getting banned. After all, Mixers are businesses and they will want more not less customers and advertisement.
Which I think is very bad because we want LESS Know Your Customer, not more. Right?
I can read this definition of yours in a different way if you want. It is only fine to Mix Bitcoin if you link the Bitcoin to your name and personal documents. Otherwise, the Mixer is bad. Well. By linking Bitcoin to your name and personal documents it is pretty much that we are 'cleaning' our Coins. Coins coming out from Know Your Customer Mixers will, I presume, be allowed on all of the Services supporting the TvC narrative too.
This part of your definition will make people new to Bitcoin think no Know Your Customer is bad. Notable Bitcoin Talk users tried to do the exact opposite for a long time now and convince the new people that Services WITH Know Your Customer are the bad ones. This does not only help the TvC and 'Privacy is for the bad guys' narrative but will also be a way for new, REALLY bad Mixers to launch and promote themselves.
Think FreeWallet. Now think a 'FreeWallet' kind of Mixer. You deposit funds hoping to 'get more Privacy'. Then the Mixer cracks down on you and no matter what you do, the Mixer will not want to return your Bitcoin unless you provide more documents. And more. And more! Because it is never enough for them. This is so much easier to do as a Mixing Service because they have a supposedly valid reason to suspect customers. They want Privacy so WHAT IF they are bad guys.
Now this can happen selectively so the Mixer runs freely while cracking down on a selective part of their customers. I mean. I suppose you already know the dangers of Know Your Customer and similar events from the past. But as I said, it promoted the TvC narrative a lot and it is an incentive for upcoming Services to start promoting it too.
I rather have no more Mixers on Bitcoin Talk than have Know Your Customer Services all around the Forum. So since you are keen on implementing this ban. I believe it is important to find a way to apply the ban without helping the worst of the Services emerge.
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I still do not understand something. Is it an offense starting from the first of January to promote Bitcoin > Monero > Bitcoin Atomic Swaps? Or is it not, considering it does not fit point 1 and 2 of the definition for a Mixer?