Thursday mailbag: Financial Frankensteins?
Roman Storm celebrated a legal victory against money transmission charges, asserting he expects to win on appeal. The debate revolves around whether it's possible to launder money without control over it, particularly in the case of Tornado Cash—a non-custodial service that allegedly lacks control over user funds. If the courts agree with Storm, it could lead to the decriminalization of crypto money laundering, prompting banks to transition to crypto infrastructure to exploit this legal loophole. Experts warn of the emergence of financial DAOs as manmade entities potentially enabling illegal activities, painting a picture of a future where unaccountable digital entities facilitate crime. Additionally, a report reveals a $1.6 billion loss in crypto from targeted hacking attacks, underscoring the appeal of crypto for thieves. The discussion extends to the issue of debanking, where scholars argue that financial institutions are managing risk rather than practicing discrimination, reflecting the complexities tied to regulations governing banks and crypto clients.
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