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Is this a point to the downside of bitcoin? Im not against it at all still, but this does prove it to be a viable method of payment for shady business that can

Is this a point to the downside of bitcoin? Im not against it at all still, but this does prove it to be a viable method of payment for shady business that can't reasonably be tracked... without bitcoin (or other crytocurrency), what methods would be in place to collect this money that wouldnt be easily tracked?

ouid 9y ago
Isn't tax evasion the whole point of bitcoin?
- datatan 9y ago
  Decentralization is the point of Bitcoin. It can still be taxed in any number of ways.
  - ouid 9y ago
    The only reason to care about centralized currency is the possibility that whoever owns the central bank will simply print more. This is equivalent to taxation. edit: >any number of ways what about zero?
nonbel 9y ago
"The warning informs the user that to unlock their system, they would have to pay a fine using a voucher from an anonymous prepaid cash service such as Ukash or Paysafecard. [...] By August 2012, a new variant of Reveton began to spread in the United States, claiming to require the payment of a $200 fine to the FBI using a MoneyPak card. [...] Rather surprisingly, Fusob suggests using iTunes gift cards for payment." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware Apparently at least Ukash, Paysafecard, MoneyPak card, and iTunes gift cards have all been used.
tobyjsullivan 9y ago
Western Union? Scammers have had means of collecting payouts since the beginning of scams. One interesting counter point here is that the money hasn't disappeared. Literally every cent that has been paid to one of these Bitcoin addresses can be traced through all future purchases by anyone on the internet. The money will, of course, be combined with other amounts as transactions occur but that doesn't kill the trail. If any of it does end up in a wallet which a government can tie to a real person, an investigator can start working backwards. This is no different from marked bills in a more traditional ransom payment. Not perfect, but proven effective.
- jmcdiesel 9y ago
  Western Union at least requires ID to recieve money, and you have to go into a location to do so (you cant claim it online) ... so you will be on camera... Checks and money orders have to be cashed... Im not ranting against anything, just a curiosity...

ouid 9y ago

Isn't tax evasion the whole point of bitcoin?

datatan 9y ago
Decentralization is the point of Bitcoin. It can still be taxed in any number of ways.
- ouid 9y ago
  The only reason to care about centralized currency is the possibility that whoever owns the central bank will simply print more. This is equivalent to taxation. edit: >any number of ways what about zero?

nonbel 9y ago

"The warning informs the user that to unlock their system, they would have to pay a fine using a voucher from an anonymous prepaid cash service such as Ukash or Paysafecard. [...] By August 2012, a new variant of Reveton began to spread in the United States, claiming to require the payment of a $200 fine to the FBI using a MoneyPak card. [...] Rather surprisingly, Fusob suggests using iTunes gift cards for payment." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware Apparently at least Ukash, Paysafecard, MoneyPak card, and iTunes gift cards have all been used.

tobyjsullivan 9y ago

Western Union? Scammers have had means of collecting payouts since the beginning of scams. One interesting counter point here is that the money hasn't disappeared. Literally every cent that has been paid to one of these Bitcoin addresses can be traced through all future purchases by anyone on the internet. The money will, of course, be combined with other amounts as transactions occur but that doesn't kill the trail. If any of it does end up in a wallet which a government can tie to a real person, an investigator can start working backwards. This is no different from marked bills in a more traditional ransom payment. Not perfect, but proven effective.

jmcdiesel 9y ago
Western Union at least requires ID to recieve money, and you have to go into a location to do so (you cant claim it online) ... so you will be on camera... Checks and money orders have to be cashed... Im not ranting against anything, just a curiosity...