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online rental platforms such as Airbnb could also be fined if they refuse to turn over addresses of rentals that failed to register. This is the part where it

online rental platforms such as Airbnb could also be fined if they refuse to turn over addresses of rentals that failed to register. This is the part where it is going to get funny, and which will pretty much help shaping the future. So, they are going to fine an online rental platform conveniently located in Argentina that settles all payments in bitcoin? As you can imagine, it will not make Airbnb any more popular if they "turn over" their users. In a version 2.0 iteration of the concept, the platform will just shut its ears for any of that. Of course, then they will be attacked through the payment method, but that is where bitcoin kicks in. In order to make online things comply, you need to strangle their cash inflow. However, if you do not kill it, you will only make it stronger. Bitcoin is really the elephant in the room. Goverments are making lots of trade expensive or impossible unless they are setted in bitcoin. That is pushing the value of bitcoin through the roof. Hence, the final shape of the system, adjusting its shape attack after attack, until it finally has become unassailable.

vidarh 10y ago
Except that property rental always have a final thing to attack: Ownership of the property. There are certainly businesses that may become hard to force to comply with laws due to Bitcoin, but property rentals are far down the list, given that there are few things that are harder to move out of "troublesome" jurisdictions.
- werkschuwtuig 10y ago
  Agreed. The property is unmovable. However, how would they get the information that someone is short-term renting a particular room, flat, or house? It is not enough to prove that this guest is staying in that location. He may just claim to be a friend, especially, if he stands to lose a security deposit on the platform when claiming anything else. The regulator will also have to prove that this person has been paying for his guesthood. You see, in so-called no-go zones in western Europe, the police no longer walk around on foot, because of the dangerous youngsters (usually of Muslim creed), who become impossibly aggressive if they see the police venturing in what they consider to be their neighbourhood. In other words, these places are a bit like Bagdad, where you need armoured vehicles and entire platoons to collect something as menial as outstanding city tax bill. Therefore, physically inspecting houses for guests may not necessarily be feasible either. They would not want angry Hispanics running after them with big knives ...
  - vidarh 10y ago
    > You see, in so-called no-go zones in western Europe You've been reading too much fascist propaganda.
    - werkschuwtuig 10y ago
      In France, they call them ZUS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitive_urban_zone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitive_urban_zone. Everybody is in denial. Me too, actually. Sometimes, even the police admits the existence of no-go zones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-go_area#France https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-go_area#France. La Courneuve and other districts in Paris were described by police as no-go zones. You see, the policemen claiming this kind of things about La Courneuve to the press, were probably fired afterwards. It is not allowed to admit this. But then again, I am very good at fitting in there. I know how to morph my clothing and composture to that effect. So, to me, these areas are perfectly safe. The hornets are not after me. They just do not like the police and other representatives of the State.
      - jacalata 10y ago
        And....these places are little hotbeds of airbnb rentals, yes? That's where your hypothetical Argentinian company would be sourcing their nice tourist friendly housing?
        werkschuwtuig 10y ago
        That depends on who you are. For travelers from minority backgrounds, it is good to know that they will not be running into a right-wing nationalist. So, yes, it would work absolutely fine for a good subset of airbnb hosts and guests. Furthermore, the hornets are quite scared of older men with beards. A beard is therefore a weapon over there. It signifies danger. You'll never know whose relative that is! ;-)
  - TeMPOraL 10y ago
    I doubt anyone would like to stay for a night in such a "no-go zone".

vidarh 10y ago

Except that property rental always have a final thing to attack: Ownership of the property. There are certainly businesses that may become hard to force to comply with laws due to Bitcoin, but property rentals are far down the list, given that there are few things that are harder to move out of "troublesome" jurisdictions.

werkschuwtuig 10y ago
Agreed. The property is unmovable. However, how would they get the information that someone is short-term renting a particular room, flat, or house? It is not enough to prove that this guest is staying in that location. He may just claim to be a friend, especially, if he stands to lose a security deposit on the platform when claiming anything else. The regulator will also have to prove that this person has been paying for his guesthood. You see, in so-called no-go zones in western Europe, the police no longer walk around on foot, because of the dangerous youngsters (usually of Muslim creed), who become impossibly aggressive if they see the police venturing in what they consider to be their neighbourhood. In other words, these places are a bit like Bagdad, where you need armoured vehicles and entire platoons to collect something as menial as outstanding city tax bill. Therefore, physically inspecting houses for guests may not necessarily be feasible either. They would not want angry Hispanics running after them with big knives ...
- vidarh 10y ago
  > You see, in so-called no-go zones in western Europe You've been reading too much fascist propaganda.
  - werkschuwtuig 10y ago
    In France, they call them ZUS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitive_urban_zone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitive_urban_zone. Everybody is in denial. Me too, actually. Sometimes, even the police admits the existence of no-go zones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-go_area#France https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-go_area#France. La Courneuve and other districts in Paris were described by police as no-go zones. You see, the policemen claiming this kind of things about La Courneuve to the press, were probably fired afterwards. It is not allowed to admit this. But then again, I am very good at fitting in there. I know how to morph my clothing and composture to that effect. So, to me, these areas are perfectly safe. The hornets are not after me. They just do not like the police and other representatives of the State.
    - jacalata 10y ago
      And....these places are little hotbeds of airbnb rentals, yes? That's where your hypothetical Argentinian company would be sourcing their nice tourist friendly housing?
      - werkschuwtuig 10y ago
        That depends on who you are. For travelers from minority backgrounds, it is good to know that they will not be running into a right-wing nationalist. So, yes, it would work absolutely fine for a good subset of airbnb hosts and guests. Furthermore, the hornets are quite scared of older men with beards. A beard is therefore a weapon over there. It signifies danger. You'll never know whose relative that is! ;-)
- TeMPOraL 10y ago
  I doubt anyone would like to stay for a night in such a "no-go zone".