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Re:Bitcoin’s ‘First Felon’ Faces More Legal Trouble by delinka on Friday November 02, 2018 @04:13PM (#18366328)
I’m hoping the contract’s execution was contingent on payment being received by you.
Re:Bitcoin’s ‘First Felon’ Faces More Legal Trouble by derefr on Friday November 02, 2018 @06:02PM (#18367113)
It always is, at least in the US. See (the legal doctrine of) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consideration.

Specifically this part:

> Consideration cannot be illusory

A contract without consideration is void. If you promise to give someone X (that you own) if they give you Y (that they own), and you never give them X, then you don't own their Y, even if it's already in your possession.

You just (non-forcefully) stole their Y—same as if you e.g. asked to borrow someone's phone and then walked away with it.

Re:Bitcoin’s ‘First Felon’ Faces More Legal Trouble by nathancahill on Friday November 02, 2018 @05:33PM (#18366948)
If only there was a currency that allowed that..
Re:Bitcoin’s ‘First Felon’ Faces More Legal Trouble by concam on Friday November 02, 2018 @06:16PM (#18367189)
Good luck trying to code a few hundred years of common law into a smart contract.
Re:Bitcoin’s ‘First Felon’ Faces More Legal Trouble by fouc on Friday November 02, 2018 @11:02PM (#18368441)
Start with one step. Then take another. Step by step. Be not daunted.