That's always the problem with freedom, it works for good guys and bad guys alike.

Let's not forget druglords, illegal arms dealers, hitmen...

Paging argument from 2010...

You would use Monero or physical cash for those activities.

Bitcoin is much easier to trace once you have a lead.

It's just a tradeoff between opsec and ease of use. Monero is harder to turn back into cash, precisely because it carries a worse reputation.

Note that my argument was pro btc - I can see underground demand sustaining its price in the long run.

Because you definitely can't do that with fiat...

This is such an old, tired take.

No, you really can't do that easily and sometimes at all with "fiat". Which is why "money laundering" is a thing. Or drug cartels having the problem to stash or move hundreds of thousands of small dollar bills over North and South American borders.

A somewhat trustworthy state having control over or transparency into money transfers generally is a very good thing. If your government isn't trustworthy enough, you have bigger problems than the currency.

When it comes to truth, old != bad. The oldest profession is still around, for example, because demand will always be there.