[steckerbrett]

> Obviously you have pay anonymously, with bitcoin, for exaple (if youuse it carefully)

Bitcoin is anonymous? Time to go to jail.

[zamalek]

Bitcoin can be used in a way that defeats anonymity - as per the parentheses in the quote.

[PakG1]

Being pedantic, but I think you mean helps ensure anonymity?

[TACIXAT]

Could you expand on your comment? My understanding is that if a party can't tie a wallet to an identity then it is anonymous. So if you can acquire bitcoins (eg. mining) and purchase something (eg. VPS) without giving up your identity then you are solid.

[Karunamon]

I've heard conflicting information as far as this goes.

Thinking this through- an adversary who's watching the block chain probably knows some inputs and some outputs. As in, these addresses belong to an exchange, these addresses belong to a hosting company.

Okay, fine. Now remember than any user can literally create wallets out of thin air, and in fact doing so is considered basic security hygiene. Let's say Joe User transfers one coin from one wallet to another wallet under their control. Let's say they do this 20 times, sometimes with the full amount, sometimes less.

How does the adversary attach an identity to those transactions?

[aaron695]

The[insert relevant law enforcement] could subpoena the VPN company for your IP address. So that wouldn't be 'anonymous'.

Telling the blockchain about your bitcoins and their transactions would also leak your IP.

To be anonymous you need to do all transactions from anonymous internet and get all your stuff anonymously.

Perhaps a purchased ebook downloaded from TOR.

You can wash your coins of course, I think it currently requires trust in the company doing it and if not done correctly might still leave a trace.

Of course the real world is different, would the FBI do enormous op sec to catch a small time crook. It's more about risk management.

[mmaunder]

Not if you understand how it works.