"Bitcoin mainly used by criminals" - Through the eyes of an oldie

in cryptocurrency •  6 years ago 
123.jpgYesterday I had the opportunity to have one of those eye-opening conversations, with an American (age group I would say 60+) who shared his knowledge, thoughts and views on bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general.

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Hi

Yesterday I had the opportunity to have one of those eye-opening conversations, with an American (age group I would say 60+) who shared his knowledge, thoughts and views on bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general.

His beliefes amazed me as I stood there completly speachless. Let me underline that I personally considered him overall very well educated, having decent knowledge about economy, politics and psychology. Could be useful to add that he also used to work for the U.S government too. Maybe that's why his views on this particular subject were as such as well.

He amazed me with 2 statements:

A) "Cryptocurrencies will definetly replace current fiat system as there is so many benefits coming from this technology."

Upon hearing that, I was like 'great, someone with proper knowledge'. Unfortunatelly what he told next ruined my first impression.

B) "Currently bitcoin is being used mostly by criminals".

That statement blew my mind. A year ago I wouldnt be surprissed but now? In 2018? Perhaps for some of you it's nothing new to hear similar staments and know how to handle the conversation from that point on?

Do you know anyone who has similar strong anti-crypto opinions? Perhaps someone within your own family or from the elder generation as the American did? Or even worse: your wife hates it.

Share with me your experiences :)

Cheers
Piotr

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Cryptocurrencies market share will grow, but will never replace sovereign fiat, because taxes (including fines and tariffs) will mostly be payable via sovereign fiat.
Regarding his second statement, he probably knows.

perhaps im just to naive to believe that just a small fraction of population in cryptospace is using it for criminal purposes. damn

thx for your comment @stimialiti

I did not claim a thing about it.
I wrote that the person you talked to knows more than I about what he talked, because I know that I do not know about it.

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People saying that cryptos are mostly used by criminals have an agenda. They want to get control over it, or they want it to go away because they got a vested intrest in e.g. banks. Also, it's possible they are retarded, or a combination of the two :)

Hi @frankvvv

Im very sorry for such a late reply. Ive been away for couple of days and now Im trying to catch up with all comments.

Indeed it's always all about power, money and control.

Yours
Piotr

Hi Piotr, Yeah, that's the "narrative" washing over the minds of Americans and anyone who watches American television and film programming around the world these days. And the word "criminals" is generally the corrupt wall street banker types and of course the governments themselves in so many cases, such as paying their spies, etc. I've seen countless stories in the media/press on that over the last year or two. Of course this "negative narrative" is all smoke and mirror propaganda to manipulate and hold down the growth of the market to give them, the central bankers running the governments, media narratives, etc., time to play catch up until they can create their own crypto currencies, which they can control in a similar fashion as they do the current fiat monopoly money.

Longer i live more im convinced that living in US and Asia must be very different.

Thx for your comment @positivesynergy

ps. have you tried to find any of my recent emails? just wondering.

yours,Piotr

I'm sure life is different, just as it is from North to South America, but certainly they must have the same narratives there in Asia. I see the same thing all through the English translations of Asian news too. In fact S. Korea and China may be the worst from what I see to throw hyped negative news narratives out there tank the markets to buy in low for another run.

On the emails I looked and haven't gotten any. Maybe the GDPR thing filtered them out. Have you herd of the news mega laws the EU wants to inflict on the global internet? I've thought of doing a post on it, as it makes GDPR seem like nothing. You think steemcleaners were tough, They want to tax all source copywrited material, if it passes next month.

I guess you don't intend to ever reply to my other comment on your other post that I posted and asked you about before 6 days ago. It should still be easy to find in your Replies section. It was https://steemit.com/cryptocurrency/@positivesynergy/re-cryptopiotr-what-s-your-view-on-bots-promotion-tool-or-necessary-evil-let-me-share-my-personal-view-20180525t072722417z It seems one of very few you never replied to of the millions you had there and did reply to. I have to admit it takes away much of the reason for commenting.

hi @positivesynergy

i just read your message. sorry for getting back 3 days after you posted it.

Do you think GDPR could in any way affect emails?

Have you herd of the news mega laws the EU wants to inflict on the global internet?

i never did. If you would ever write a post about it then please let me know.

They want to tax all source copywrited material, if it passes next month.

im not sure if i understand. sorry that i didnt reply your previous post. Somehow i've missed it. will do it early morning tomorrow.
Thanks for reminding me about it and providing me with a link. Appreciate.

I have to admit it takes away much of the reason for commenting.

i understand. unfortunatelly steemit doesnt allow to manage comments/replies easily and it's easy to skip someone's comment (like i did with yours).

ps.
i noticed that you completly stopped posting on steemit. such a shame :(

cheers, piotr

Hi Piotr,

You mentioned,

unfortunatelly steemit doesnt allow to manage comments/replies easily and it's easy to skip someone's comment.

What? These are two of Steemit's strongest data feeds, which makes it very easy to track all Replies and Comments, each with their own section. Surely, you know that, Piotr, as they are some of the main options on Steemit. Nearly 2 months on Minds and I finally found today where they've added the same options there, because Steemit was the first I know of to do it and Minds wanted to compete in that space too.

On the email issues, the GDPR has effected a lot of emails. This first change has been a real pain in the ass to deal with. So the next one has me considering what to do without much of the internet as we know it today, given the lengths they want to impose and censor the internet in favor of big corporations with the biggest financial muscle.

The law is the proposed EU copyright reform/expansion. It will especially effect Steemit and all social media, if it passes the vote in the US on June 20/21st.We will no longer be able to use anything copyrighted without paying some sort of tax and everything we upload will have to go through strict filters. If it passes, I am hoping they will give social media companies time to implement the censor machine filters. I know YouTube already has one running and they were the ones the first study was largely associated with. It has been censoring, removing and shutting down a lot of the best You Tube content and channels the last few years.

Here are some videos talking about this new law:

https://juliareda.eu/eu-copyright-reform/censorship-machines/
https://saveyourinternet.eu/

Honestly in my opinion notification system on @positivesynergy and managing comments is definetly weak point of Steemit. And I think you introduced me to busy.org showing that they front end is way more user friendly.

Personally I found it very hard to manage replies here. Maybe Im just doing something wrong but I've read number of posts where people were complaining about same problem. I just dont think it's very user friendly. I dont even know how to select that some comment was 'unread' in case if I want to reply to it later.

On the email issues, the GDPR has effected a lot of emails.

I didnt know. Thanks for that info. Does it mean that emails between people who usually were in touch are not even going through?

It has been censoring, removing and shutting down a lot of the best You Tube content and channels the last few years.

That's just very sad news. I didnt know that things are that bad.

But internet is more than just US and EU. Will China and other asian countries follow in your opinion and force their own social media platform to adjust EU regulations?

ps. you didnt post anything in over 3 weeks. Did you completly give up on steemit?

Yours
Piotr

I think you have a hard time managing the replies in part because you get so many millions sometimes. And I believe many of those may be bots, given I saw on the competition one you did on AI and Blockchain had a load of bot comments.

But really, Comment and Reply management system on Steemit is one of the few things that really set Steemit apart from all the other social media I know and use, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Yours, and especially Minds. But Minds is gaining fast and I'm sure has nearly doubled the membership of Steemit as fast as they are growing, if not more. For example Minds started to see some issues with bots gaming the system, like Steemit, and quickly changed the algorithm within a few days to take away all incentive. I have seen that and so many other debates rage on Steemit of all the problems they have for more than a year and they have yet to fix any of them. Yeah, maybe they lowered the power down system to 13 weeks except 5 steem, but that's still ponzi scheme scam territory and the number one reason I am not posting now for nearly a month.

It's simple as hell to at least find replies form specific people on Steemit. You simply go down the list and check which one. When I told you I had commented, I even told you how many days before it was, so all you had to do was go though to that period past and look for my username.

Hi again @positivesynergy

Have you herd of the news mega laws the EU wants to inflict on the global internet? I've thought of doing a post on it, as it makes GDPR seem like nothing.

Im waiting till 21st of June to learn more about that mentioned issue. One more time THANK YOU for bringing it up to my attention.

Indeed using bots makes it even harder. The biggest challange I have is that I move around a lot quite often and every now and then I dissapear for 2-4 days and catching up is a hard thing. I will always do my best to reply all your comments as I really value them a lot. Sorry if I ever miss any.

ps.
Can you please try to send me any email or write on skype? I would love to be able to re-connect with you as I have some business ideas I wanted to discuss with you.

Yours,
Piotr

Also, EU laws effect the world... Asia included. That's how things generally work online. To me it seems China may be the ones largely behind all of this, given they seem to be the most advanced in censorship, at least from what I am told and see talk of. Who knows though.

Very true. To some degree. Asia is not as strict with almost anything as europe is. Here people still sell shit everywhere without even having their business registered. Hardly anyone still pays taxes. They have long way to go to catch up (luckily).

Thank you for the contribution of Steem. 🙏🏼

most people that say that are just repeating what there hear in the media...
im not saying criminals are not using bitcoin because that would be stupid, everything from hippies to icos, and the silk road to name some criminal activity..

thats just a drip in the bucket compared to all humans using bitcoin/altcoins/tokens...

idk maybe he should of started with the second statement first.

hi @eyemon1

I completly agree with you
It's "just a drip in the bucket .

thank you for commenting, appreciate

yours,
Piotr

Well, I guess cryptocurrencies in general are perfect for criminal activities. Bitcoin obviously is not the one used by criminals though. Privacy is definetly not the strongest feature of bitcoin.

hi @cryptohumster

I didnt hear from you in a while. Im glad to see that you're still active on steemit. I noticed that you created post about hackers on blockchain. Gonna read it now. i've been thinking about this subject a lot lately.

Privacy is definetly not the strongest feature of bitcoin.

Agree 100%

Take care buddy, hope to hear more from you
Piotr

Lol... I feel ots true.. over here.. guys are selling fake bitcoins :(

I don't even know how they get their hands on it. I just feel bad for those on the other end.

So cryptocurrency might soon be the home ground of all cybercrimes though.

Its just a thought

hi @aluyeah

thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it a lot

So cryptocurrency might soon be the home ground of all cybercrimes though.

It crossed my mind several times. i thought that blockchain cybersecurity companies will have their chances here

cheers
Piotr

What the man said is actually correct. From the first statement to the second statement. It is true that crypto will definitely replace fiat system in subsequent years to come and most people involved in it now are using it for criminal acts now. There are situations like that where you see people being scammed of their hard earn portfolio they been building for some time and politicians using it to move huge some of money from one country to another just because many people have not yet understood how the blockchain network works. The man is really very well educated like you said.

hi @caesar816

Thank you for your kind comment. I love how responsive you are.

im glad you shared with me. Somehow i always believed that majority of investors (who treat bitcoin as a store of value) have nothing to do with criminal world. I still prefer to believe in it ;) maybe Im just naive

cheers mate,
Piotr

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I am not as well versed in the bitcoin aspect but I must agree at least partially. Bitcoin is now a well known alternative around the world and it’s value is highly priced. That, like anything of a high value, brings in the criminals and others looking to take advantage of it as well as people who try to use it. Now if the man said crypto itself was mostly used by criminals then I would certainly disagree with that.
I do appreciate that he is knowledgeable and open to understanding the wave of change that’s coming.
I have conversations with people in my family and friends that are older and they’ve heard of crypto but don’t know much of anything about other crypto.

Thank you for your amazing and valuable comment. I appreciate a lot your time and effort.

Im glad you shared your view with me.

Now if the man said crypto itself was mostly used by criminals then I would certainly disagree with that.

Indeed. Im glad to see that we're on the same page here.

I have conversations with people in my family and friends that are older and they’ve heard of crypto but don’t know much of anything about other crypto.

Im personally scared when I hear old people talking about investing in crypto and at the same time they dont know anything about it.

I will do my best to support you on steemit (as you're so very responsive)

Cheers,
Piotr

Thank you, and I with you as well!
I do want to correct one typo from above though, they've heard of Bitcoin, but not other crypto.

Actually really surprised by the "older" person's first comment. That person is fairly well-informed. I have talked with people my age... I am older as well, but obviously weird as I have been in crypto now for over a year... ha ha , but not had that kind of foresight expressed. So... good on them.. whoever that is! The "criminal" thing... ya like $'s are never used by criminals! lol

Thx for your comment @granblock

indeed first comment came to me also as a surprisse.

ya like $'s are never used by criminals! lol

absolutely :)

ps. I've noticed that we're sharing many similar interests. Will do my best to support you on steemit.

All the best
Piotr

  ·  6 years ago 

Well, I won't be surprised at all @piotr bro. Even Warren Buffet stated that "Bitcoin isn't an investment" and mentioned it's only "rat poison"

Yeah, this old fool is feeling threatened.

Thx @wilhb81 for your comments. I appreciate :)

hey whats up i'm guessing you heard about the bitcoin heist in europe also i have a question what is binance-hot

hi @tornadoman,

i've never heard about bitcoin heist in europe? could you please tell me more about it?

binance-hot? every time whenever Im transfering my funds (steem) from my binance account it's being received from binance-hot :)

yours
Piotr

There was a story about it awhile back and this guy stole 240 mil dollars worth of bitcoin miners

im sorry for such a late reply @tornadoman

Ive never heard about this story. Well, that's a lot of bitcoins :)

No one comes to mind, but what does is those that stand to gain more from the way things are now. Financial institutions, the government, etc are always on the other end of the spectrum. Eventually, we will be where the old timer sees us in the future (Point À).

I do have the negative nancys and I just try to Enlighten them. I have heard the criminals using Bitcoin statement many times as some believe it is totally anonymous and I just Enlighten them about blockchain technology recording every single transaction and it is not anonymous then cite a news story in which some ex federal agents get caught stealing Bitcoin by selling drugs on Silk Road web page where they would take the Bitcoin and never deliver the drugs.

hi @dynamicrypto

Im sorry for such a late reply and Im glad to see that you're still active on steemit :)
I've been away for a couple of days and just got back. Loads of catching up to do and obviously checking if you're still around has been on my priority list.

ps.
you're very responsive which is absolutely great and steemit community surely will benefit by having you here.

if you would ever like to keep in touch and support each other closer, then drop me a message [email protected]. This will allow us to communicate easier.

No pressure of course,

Cheers, Piotr

Cheers, Piotr

Sounds good & in trying to build steemit engagement I try to push many conversations onto our posts.😉

I love to see how responsive you are @dynamicrypto

I try 😁👌

I'm not sure if crypto will definitely replace. There is a high probability. With proper education and information to everyone then that could be realized. Criminals will use any means to commit crime. I don't know personally anyone using bitcoin to commit a crime.

Hi @leeart

Im sorry for such a late reply and Im glad to see that you're still active on steemit :)
I've been away for a couple of days and just got back. Loads of catching up to do and obviously checking if you're still around has been on my priority list.

I don't know personally anyone using bitcoin to commit a crime.

neither do I.

Cheers, Piotr

That's all right. I only come here on steemit when I have the time, too :D

I've heard that kind of abrupt comment many times, I give you the reason why maybe a while ago it could be so, although not to that extreme as loud as some people criticize it, many of the people who speak so negatively about it is because they know so little about it, I was very surprised that a person with a certain level of knowledge like him gave such a harsh opinion.

In my country (Venezuela), the knowledge of people in general about bitcoin is really very scarce and many times they repudiate bitcoin without really knowing the whole picture, I would like to start implementing in the universities subjects on the subject because crypto coins are the future and people could express their opinions with a good basis.

Thank you for your amazing and valuable comment. I appreciate a lot your time and effort.

Im glad you shared your view with me.

many of the people who speak so negatively about it is because they know so little about i

You nailed it!

I will do my best to support you on steemit (as you're so very responsive).

Cheers,
Piotr

Firstly, just finished my exams but I've been kinda keep track of your posts and seen how quickly you've grown on here, kudos man.

You know, I think once Crypto is fully adopted the criminal element will be akin to any criminal element that attaches to traditional currency trade (FTSE/Stocks) I absolutely think we should be very careful to not underestimate how criminals are utilizing cryptocurrency. That's how they win.

So as far as money laundering

It goes a lot deeper on that depending on how broad you consider 'criminal'.

If you open up your interpretation of what you mean by a criminal, beyond the standard 'deviant'. Instead look at white collar crime, then I would say cryptocurrency is largely influenced by criminal activity. Honestly, in a lot of different ways. From ICO's to Exit Scams but even more implicit than that, to market manipulation and rampant insider traiding.

I actually think, as bad as it sounds, maybe it's appropriate that older people think that cryptocurrency is scary. It's a voltile market with no regulation. No one untrained should be in it right now, let alone someone who could potentially be more vulnerable, or at least statistically less likely to be knowledgeable about cryptocurrency & Trading.

We attached stigma like - 'it's for criminals' for a social purpose, I believe it serves a societal function, even sub-consciously. That message is that it's extremely risky so be scared of it.

We are far too haphazard with our caution; human nature is destined for greed. No regulation is great but the very reason for the creation of regulation is to prevent these bad actors, we forfeited protection for freedom (and isn't that always the way? - it's practically neutonian)

I'm playing devils advocate by the way - I'm so procrypto

I've noticed @castbythecoast that you're very procrypto

ps.
you're very responsive which is absolutely great and steemit community surely will benefit by having you here.

if you would ever like to keep in touch and support each other closer, then drop me a message [email protected]. This will allow us to communicate easier.

No pressure of course,

Cheers, Piotr

Hi @castbythecoast

Im very sorry for such a late reply. Ive been away for couple of days and now Im trying to catch up with all comments.

Im doing my best to grow and Im grateful for your support.

Thx again for your comment and that link.

It goes a lot deeper on that depending on how broad you consider 'criminal'.

That's a right question. What our goverments can consider being criminal in crypto space?

Yours
Piotr

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Too bad I'm just seeing this! My 2cents on this issue ; while "oldie" isn't wrong ,he isn't so right either .It's a situation of "half full,have empty",whichever perspective you choose to view from.
Out of curiosity,i spent days digging the holes and searching the corners of the dark web.Not surprisingly,most criminal deeds such as sale of hard drugs,hiring a hitman,illegal purchase of ammunitions etc have been carried out using bitcoin as mode of payment.T he high level of anonymity is been taken advantage of by criminals .
To "oldie",this may well just eclipse all other positives,hence his conclusion .Can't blame him much!

Too bad I'm just seeing this! My 2cents on this issue ; while "oldie" isn't wrong ,he isn't so right either .It's a situation of "half full,half empty",whichever perspective you choose to view from.
Out of curiosity,i spent days digging the holes and searching the corners of the dark web.Not surprisingly,most criminal deeds such as sale of hard drugs,hiring a hitman,illegal purchase of ammunitions etc have been carried out using bitcoin as mode of payment.T he high level of anonymity is been taken advantage of by criminals .
To "oldie",this may well just eclipse all other positives,hence his conclusion .Can't blame him much!

Thank you @danielwrites for such an amazing reply. Myself I know little about the dark web.

ps.
you're very responsive which is absolutely great and steemit community surely will benefit by having you here.

if you would ever like to keep in touch and support each other closer, then drop me a message [email protected]. This will allow us to communicate easier.

No pressure of course,

Cheers, Piotr

My vote isn’t worth much but I put you on auto upvote

thanks buddy :)

which tool do you use to auto upvote?

It’s a website called steemvoter.com and I use it to follow and auto upvote my favorite steemians at whatever percent i chose.

thx @tornadoman

I've been using the same site as you do.
Did you ever try steemauto.com?

Yours
Piotr

I have used steem auto

For this reason. All crypto currencies should use the NYC (know your client) system and records all transactions, which could then be tracked by authorities. In this way there would be more trust in crypto currencies, thus they would be more stable.

Thank you for your comment.

ps.
I just checked your profile and noticed that you didnt post anything so far and didnt power up. not convinced so far about steemit?

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