Crypto Advocacy Groups Urge Dismissal of Case Against Bitcoin Mixer Samourai
Crypto advocacy groups have voiced strong support for the dismissal of charges against Samourai Wallet, a Bitcoin mixing service that was shut down by the U.S. government last year. The groups, including the Blockchain Association and Coin Center, argue that the service does not constitute an illegal money transmitter as it only provided software that users controlled, and did not handle user funds directly. The developers of Samourai Wallet were arrested, accused of operating without a license, leading to legal confusion over what constitutes control over funds. The advocacy groups emphasize the necessity of privacy in financial transactions, akin to cash utilization in daily life, and assert that prosecuting developers whose software is used by others is an overreach of the law. Additionally, a federal judge recently denied the inclusion of amicus briefs from these advocacy groups. This backdrop highlights ongoing tensions in the crypto space regarding regulation and privacy, especially following the U.S. government's crackdown on similar services.
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