Ransomware attacks used western union before they used Bitcoin. Because Bitcoin is a relatively convenient way to perform international payments (emphasis on r

Ransomware attacks used western union before they used Bitcoin. Because Bitcoin is a relatively convenient way to perform international payments (emphasis on relatively) -- you can probably make a case that its existence increased the number of low value randsomware attacks. ... but so would other low friction ways of paying people in other countries. But when you talk about $11 million dollar payments for ransomware hitting major institutions-- a way would be found to make the payment, bitcoin or not. Insecure systems, software, and practices (including inadequate backups) as well as the almost complete lack of enforcement against international electronic crime are the root causes and nothing short of fixing them can prevent extremely high value ransomware attacks. Even in a fantasy world where the payment couldn't happen-- which is certainly not our world without Bitcoin-- attackers could get compensated in other ways: They could demand the release of prisoners, the shuttering of business locations, the divulging of information-- it doesn't matter if its inefficient, because the cost of the attack is extremely low. If you're talking about money laundering, Bitcoin doesn't even hold a candle to the activities major international banks engage in (and are sometimes penalized for) regularly.