How convenient! And you know what, it is bullshit!
I would love to be proven wrong but fear that I won't be.
USD was taken as well, authorities are well versed in dealing with USD based crimes. Law enforcement has recovered virtual furniture and goods before so I also challenge the claim they would be incapable of dealing with bitcoins.
I see what you mean but do not believe similar cases are relevant to bitcoin, which has not been subject of any significant court proceedings.
Of course it's bullshit. Most - if not all - of the countries involved have specialised computer and financial crimes units and police regularly call in civilian experts to assist with their investigations (especially universities). There are plenty of technology experts they can call on for assistance.
Of course they can, however, legally bitcoin will be dismissed as a criminal money-laundering network for which there are no "victims".
The prosecution is not the financial burden of the victims in criminal cases - the only people who would have to worry about legal fees would be the accused.
Only when the "victims" have won the case will the accussed have to pay their fees and damages. That does not account for being able to financially propel a prosecution for the length of any investigations and court proceedings. Go on, ask a lawyer to work on your behalf for free in lieu of payment after success. Indeed, the accumulated cost of bringing this whole saga to court will cost more than what was originally stolen.
In theory a court case may be possible, but by considering just a few practicalities, it seems highly unlikely.
This is only vaguely related but:
At first everyone's like "Yeah, fuck state government and central authority. We don't need them to run our economy! Let the people take their money into their own hands! Bitcoin FTW!" In fact, this forum is full of slogans like that.
But as soon as people lose their precious coins due to their own carelessness and greed to a dubious enterprise in the East they all go running for law, police and central authority to rescue their asses.
And you know what happens when you ask authority for help: they will place their protective palms on your butts and slowly move their middle finger up your cavities.
I'd rather have a glass of champagne with that Chinese millionaire and take a look at his relic collection (and maybe steal one) than listen to a heard of sheep whining and complaining to authority.
Most of y'all early adopters will lose most of their coins anyway and still end up richer than today. Just you wait!
[/yadda yadda]
This man speaks sense.
Not everyone, just a particular kind of libertards.
You don't have the luxury to pick and choose. Bitcoin exists outside of institutional (legal) control and protection. We cannot have our cake and eat it.
BB.
