> But I would just like my 5 year old kid to be able to buy an ice-cream with the pocket money I give her. I realize that this is a problem that needs to be so

> But I would just like my 5 year old kid to be able to buy an ice-cream with the pocket money I give her. I realize that this is a problem that needs to be solve by cryptocurrencies to reach mainstream status, but unless I'm missing something, that is not a problem that needs to be solved by established currencies. Right now, my example of buying things from a black market in case of dictatorship is the only case I can think of from the top of my mind in which I could see myself needing untraceable money. Arguably, making donations to an unpopular political party or to help a persecuted minority may be better examples in dictatorships or near-dictatorships. While all of these examples sound useful, I'm not convinced yet that it would be terribly difficult for a technologically-oriented dictatorship (or one with a $5 wrench) to obtain all the data through side-channels or to block transactions. > Don't forget that digital transactions can give recourse against fraud without actually having to break client anonymity (Taler) or even vendor anonymity (underwritten/insured escrow systems). Good to know. I should take a look at these. > Most of take that risk everyday for smallish sums < $100 when we use cash. Indeed, I was thinking of larger sums.