5 ms·

I think a possible reason they're overwhelmingly positive is because the FBI has a pretty good cache of bc.

• maxerickson 13y ago
  They wouldn't care if those coins were worth $5 billion. The federal budget is silly compared to a few hundred thousand bitcoins. Or maybe that's the other way around.
  • Varcht 13y ago
    Maybe... or "The FBI can’t investigate terrorists and fraudsters due to budget cuts" http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/30/the-fbi-cant-investigate-terrorists-and-fraudsters-due-to-budget-cuts/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/30/t... The FBI budget iirc is ~8 billion, if they get everything from silk road it could be over 10% of their budget.
    • icebraining 13y ago
      The commissions earned by Silk Road were just shy of $80 million over more than two years. Where did you get $800 million from?
      • deleted 13y ago
        [deleted]
        • dangrossman 13y ago
          There's a way to convey that information without the condescending tone.
        • eloff 13y ago
          You are aware that the other definition of billion is even larger right?
      • Varcht 13y ago
        By some reports they were looking at 600,000 bitcoins[1], read some headlines today that bc was at $750[2], make more people comfortable with them... [1]FBI struggles to seize 600,000 Bitcoins from alleged Silk Road founder by Alex Hern http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/07/fbi-bitcoin-silk-road-ross-ulbricht http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/07/fbi-bitcoi... [2]Bitcoin hits $750, up 107% in a week By: John Phillips http://www.cnbc.com/id/101205416 http://www.cnbc.com/id/101205416
        • ars_technician 13y ago
          Some coins selling at $750 doesn't mean someone is willing to pay $750 for 600,000 coins.
          • Varcht 13y ago
            That's true now but legitimize it and get some real capital guarantees and that could change.
  • jarin 13y ago
    The FBI and CIA can use Bitcoin to anonymously pay off foreign informants though
    • maxerickson 13y ago
      Do you think that possibility translates into enthusiasm in the Senate?
    • TomGullen 13y ago
      We'd see them spend it and ask what they've spent it on.
      • Karunamon 13y ago
        Given bitcoin's current quasi-legal status, I don't think they'd be under any obligation to answer that question until the coins become legal tender
      • saraid216 13y ago
        I'd expect the CIA to know how to launder money competently. It seems like a ridiculously obvious thing for them to learn how to do.
        • deleted 13y ago
          [deleted]
      • baddox 13y ago
        And they would say "none of your business."
• marshray 13y ago
  Or they operate most of the BTC washing services.
• prawn 13y ago
  I think it's because not getting in on the ecosystem now could be regrettable later if other powers do.
• doki_pen 13y ago
  All the politicians are thinking "A completely anonymous way to get campaign funds? This sounds incredible!"