alt Hacker News> No, the argument is crypto is primarily used for crimes. Which is true.
The argument is right here:
> Outside of buying sex and drugs the only uses for cryptocoins are, and always has been, ransoms, scams and gambling.
It doesn't contain the word "primarily" which indeed makes it false, and the rebuttal to your different claim is this one:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46190260
> Also, if you want privacy, don't use crypto.
Can you tell me another way of buying something over the internet without tying the purchase to a government ID?
Replies
> Can you tell me another way of buying something over the internet without tying the purchase to a government ID?
By using a prepaid (debit|gift) card bought for cash in a convenience store? Much better anonymity that way. And much less volatility.
Sorry, which web shops demand governmental ID? I have never had to provide them mine in any of the countries I’ve lived in.
If your concern is the webshop finding out your address, well I’m unsure how you solve this when you buy with crypto, but again ship to your home. If you have an alternative place to get it delivered for privacy, might as well do that with fiat transactions the same way.
> Outside of buying sex and drugs the only uses for cryptocoins are ...
Apparently Black Rock and such buy billions of dollars worth of sex and drugs. I wonder where they keep it.
>> Also, if you want privacy, don't use crypto.
> Can you tell me another way of buying something over the internet without tying the purchase to a government ID?
Isn't the real question more, does crypto actually allow you buy things without tying the purchase to a government ID?
I'm no expert but I regularly see articles about de-anonymisation. This leads me to be sceptical about claims to privacy, certainly given enough time and motivation by a government actor.