Author

Topic: Want to start an anonymous bitcoin exchange? (Read 4559 times)

legendary
Activity: 882
Merit: 1001
Isn't that the idea in the link I posted?

D'oh. Didn't read it. Consider my post a tl;dr for those too lazy or unwilling to click links. Smiley
Sounds good to me. Wink
legendary
Activity: 882
Merit: 1001
Thanks for linking to a bitcoinweekly article!  Grin
No problem. Smiley
legendary
Activity: 980
Merit: 1020
Thanks for linking to a bitcoinweekly article!  Grin
sr. member
Activity: 294
Merit: 252
Isn't that the idea in the link I posted?

D'oh. Didn't read it. Consider my post a tl;dr for those too lazy or unwilling to click links. Smiley
legendary
Activity: 882
Merit: 1001
One of the problems with an anonymous exchange is the transfer of funds to and from the exchange. One interesting idea for solving this problem is the use of a cut-out (an espionage term). Basically, if I want to send money to the exchange, I set up a bank account for this purpose only. I keep one ATM card and send the other to the exchanger (via an intermediary, so I don't know the identity of the exchanger). Whenever I want to transfer money, I deposit money into the account and alert the exchanger. He sends a runner out to a random ATM to withdraw the money. Then he credits my account with the same amount (minus a fee?). When I want to withdraw, the opposite happens. I notify the exchanger of my intent, he sends a runner out to deposit some money into the account, and I withdraw it at my leisure.
Isn't that the idea in the link I posted?
It could be fairly easy for banks to determine who is using this method of exchange. It might look suspicious if a large number of accounts are being accessed at ATMs from all over the country as well as one specific geographic area. Perhaps the exchanger would have trusted agents located throughout the country?
Perhaps. Smiley
sr. member
Activity: 294
Merit: 252
One of the problems with an anonymous exchange is the transfer of funds to and from the exchange. One interesting idea for solving this problem is the use of a cut-out (an espionage term). Basically, if I want to send money to the exchange, I set up a bank account for this purpose only. I keep one ATM card and send the other to the exchanger (via an intermediary, so I don't know the identity of the exchanger). Whenever I want to transfer money, I deposit money into the account and alert the exchanger. He sends a runner out to a random ATM to withdraw the money. Then he credits my account with the same amount (minus a fee?). When I want to withdraw, the opposite happens. I notify the exchanger of my intent, he sends a runner out to deposit some money into the account, and I withdraw it at my leisure.

There are some down sides that I see...

This could become a hassle with a large number of users, though there could be many anonymous exchangers that operate like this, or perhaps they merely supply fewer non-anonymous exchangers with liquidity.

It could be fairly easy for banks to determine who is using this method of exchange. It might look suspicious if a large number of accounts are being accessed at ATMs from all over the country as well as one specific geographic area. Perhaps the exchanger would have trusted agents located throughout the country?
legendary
Activity: 882
Merit: 1001
http://bitcoinweekly.com/articles/anonymous-money-needs-an-anonymous-exchange

If there's enough interest, I would be up for being a runner, or even the operator if no one else wants to be. Anyone want to help?
Jump to: