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Re:Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index by toyg on Wednesday February 10, 2021 @12:12PM (#26091903)
Let's not forget druglords, illegal arms dealers, hitmen...
Re:Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index by meowkit on Wednesday February 10, 2021 @12:24PM (#26092054)
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.

Re:Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index by toyg on Wednesday February 10, 2021 @04:58PM (#26095359)
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.

Re:Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index by Solvitieg on Wednesday February 10, 2021 @12:31PM (#26092166)
Because you definitely can't do that with fiat...

This is such an old, tired take.

Re:Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index by bayesian_horse on Wednesday February 10, 2021 @12:59PM (#26092563)
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.

Re:Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index by toyg on Wednesday February 10, 2021 @05:01PM (#26095391)
When it comes to truth, old != bad. The oldest profession is still around, for example, because demand will always be there.