Topic: What is anonyminity worth? (Read 1540 times)

That is one of its uses, sure. IMO, the real use is as a currency that is not subject to control by any central authority. If you remove the USD from your equation, Bitcoin is even MORE useful, as you can send money directly to anyone, anywhere.

That is the VALUE of bitcoin imo. The real use for bitcoin is onshore-usd < --> bitcoin < --> offshore-usd in an untraceable and VERY cheap fashion. Bitcoin is a temporary medium of transfer for USD.

The potential for non-criminal activity is even greater.  Bitcoin enables all sorts of innovative new businesses that were not possible before. It will boost free trade and empower a new generation of freelancers and small entrepreneurs. It will give the world's poorest people access to a "bank account". I could give you many more examples how it will make most of us better off if it succeeds.

Most technological advancements facilitate certain crimes. The automobile facilitated kidnappings and drive by shootings. The internet facilitated credid card fraud.  Chemistry facilitated the holocaust.

But try to see the bigger picture. They also bring huge societal benefits that far outweigh the detriments.

If your aim is to stop criminals by denying yourself the technologies that might help them to commit crimes, you have to reject other technologies too, not just bitcoin. And don't forget that Bitcoin can also be used to combat crime.


Sit back and enjoy the ride.

See bitcoin for what it is - just a tool.

The 21st century will be scary but wonderful.

Well what's more important to you? Providing for yourself and your family or not helping the baddies out?

Nuh uh, not dollars, dollars are pure and clean, the currency of angels.

Are you aware that criminals are using your currency(whatever it may be) at the moment?

So, as some of you may know, I got into Bitcoins because of the USA poker shutdown.  In the past few weeks, I've learned about them, and gotten an actual understanding of TOR, visited some of the darknet, etc.  And it's really bothered me.

A friend of mine and I were talking about Bitcoins.  The first point he brought up was that the poker shutdown had nothing to do with poker.  Poker sites ARE Bitcoins.  I buy coke from you, and we just go play some head's up poker and I lose the required payment to you.  Bam, Bitcoins.  THAT'S why they got shut down.  Certainly, they will eventually come after Bitcoins then.  The potential for criminal activity associated with them is just too great.

And that brings me to the second point my friend made.  Ya Tor was anonymous and all, but at least the bad guys only had a meeting place.  Now, with poker sites, and Bitcoins, they can MONETIZE their criminal activity.  There are drug stores and assassin's for hire, and child predators openly discussion the best strategies for kidnapping children.  And now criminals have a way to not only get together, but have a marketplace.  I saw stuff online that is going to stick with me my entire life.  (Can't be UNSEEN!!!!)

I don't know what to do or what to think.  Poker is my livelihood.  It's a game I love, and it's the only way I have to make money, and I'm not properly bankrolled to play live (in casinos) at high enough limits to live on.  Low limit online is my lifeblood.  But I don't want to be a part of helping the bad guys out there.  The cost of my being able to re-locate and be anonymous means that other people can too, and I don't know if I want them to be able to do that.

I'm in a bit of a crisis here.  I don't know what I'm going to do, but thanks for letting me vent here guys.

/freakout