3 ms·

How is this different from cash? Money laundering is about intent, not means of payment.

kbutler 9y ago
It is very similar to cash in that it is an anonymous means of payment. However, Taler tries to legitimize the transfer and explicitly claims "Taler is not suitable for illegal activities." https://taler.net/en/index.html https://taler.net/en/index.html But by hiding the source of funds, it seems eminently suitable for illegal activities. Putting a (partially) legitimate business as front to process illegal profits is a textbook money laundering structure.
- jimktrains2 9y ago
  > Putting a (partially) legitimate business as front to process illegal profits is a textbook money laundering structure. Yes, but how does Taler equate to doing this? Again, how is it any different than cash? Money Laundering is about intent, not instrument.
  - kbutler 9y ago
    The primary uses of Taler will likely be legitimate - I never equated it to money laundering, just expressed my doubt for the assertion that it cannot be used for money laundering. I can't tell you how Taler differs from cash with respect to money laundering. That's why I asked the question. Can you tell me why Taler cannot be used for money laundering?
    - Accacin 9y ago
      I think you're reading the "Taler is not suitable for illegal activities." wrong. They're not saying you can't (as like you said, of course you could), they're saying you shouldn't I guess what they're saying is, "we don't want you to doing anything illegal on our service, but we can't really stop you easily if you were to do that".
      - kbutler 9y ago
        "Taler prevents tax evasion and money laundering." https://taler.net/en/merchants.html https://taler.net/en/merchants.html
        TACIXAT 9y ago
        Perhaps it is private between transacting parties but still trackable per account (in line with know your customer laws).
    - jimktrains2 9y ago
      > Can you tell me why Taler cannot be used for money laundering? Can you tell me why cash can't be? My point is that money laundering is a crime of intention, not instrument.
      - kbutler 9y ago
        I'm sorry, I misunderstood and thought that your point had something to do with my ancestral comment. Money laundering is a crime of intent ("transactions... undertaken specifically to hide the true source of the money.") Cash is one mechanism that can be used for money laundering. (Are we good? Violent agreement so far, right?) The Taler web site claims "Taler prevents tax evasion and money laundering." https://taler.net/en/merchants.html https://taler.net/en/merchants.html How?

It is very similar to cash in that it is an anonymous means of payment. However, Taler tries to legitimize the transfer and explicitly claims "Taler is not suitable for illegal activities." https://taler.net/en/index.html https://taler.net/en/index.html But by hiding the source of funds, it seems eminently suitable for illegal activities. Putting a (partially) legitimate business as front to process illegal profits is a textbook money laundering structure.

jimktrains2 9y ago
> Putting a (partially) legitimate business as front to process illegal profits is a textbook money laundering structure. Yes, but how does Taler equate to doing this? Again, how is it any different than cash? Money Laundering is about intent, not instrument.
- kbutler 9y ago
  The primary uses of Taler will likely be legitimate - I never equated it to money laundering, just expressed my doubt for the assertion that it cannot be used for money laundering. I can't tell you how Taler differs from cash with respect to money laundering. That's why I asked the question. Can you tell me why Taler cannot be used for money laundering?
  - Accacin 9y ago
    I think you're reading the "Taler is not suitable for illegal activities." wrong. They're not saying you can't (as like you said, of course you could), they're saying you shouldn't I guess what they're saying is, "we don't want you to doing anything illegal on our service, but we can't really stop you easily if you were to do that".
    - kbutler 9y ago
      "Taler prevents tax evasion and money laundering." https://taler.net/en/merchants.html https://taler.net/en/merchants.html
      - TACIXAT 9y ago
        Perhaps it is private between transacting parties but still trackable per account (in line with know your customer laws).
  - jimktrains2 9y ago
    > Can you tell me why Taler cannot be used for money laundering? Can you tell me why cash can't be? My point is that money laundering is a crime of intention, not instrument.
    - kbutler 9y ago
      I'm sorry, I misunderstood and thought that your point had something to do with my ancestral comment. Money laundering is a crime of intent ("transactions... undertaken specifically to hide the true source of the money.") Cash is one mechanism that can be used for money laundering. (Are we good? Violent agreement so far, right?) The Taler web site claims "Taler prevents tax evasion and money laundering." https://taler.net/en/merchants.html https://taler.net/en/merchants.html How?