1

How are the Localbitcoins.com founders safe from money laundering laws?

LocalBitcoins says its purpose is to connect buyers and sellers. That legalese makes it escape criminal laws.

What about Silk Road? Ross Ulbricht doesn't sell drugs. Someone using his service does.

2 Answers 2

4

It comes down to intent

... and possibly responses to illegal activity.

Localbitcoins intention is to facilitate trade in bitcoins - in itself a legal undertaking. Cryptocurrancy transactions can be used for illegal purposes but it is not the sites intention to enable that.

Amazon.com intention is to facilitate trade in books - in itself a legal undertaking. Some books contain material that is prohibited under some countries laws but it is not the sites intention to enable trade in illegal books.

Ebay.com intention is to facilitate trade in "stuff" - some "stuff" is illegal but it is not the sites intention to enable trade in illegal stuff.

Silk Road intention was to facilitate trade in illegal goods and services - therefore they are accessories to the crimes committed.

4
  • How do you proof intent? You can also sells candies and other legal stuff in silk road. Is this up to the judges?
    – user4234
    Nov 9, 2018 at 12:34
  • 2
    Just as an example, if you directly advertise your service on a illegal drugs forum as "best place to sell your illegal drugs" you'll have a hard time convincing a jury that your site isn't designed for facilitating illegal transactions.
    – pboss3010
    Nov 9, 2018 at 13:31
  • @SharenEayrs the same way you prove everything else, with evidence
    – Dale M
    Nov 9, 2018 at 20:20
  • This answer offers no legal citations or reasoning. Could you improve it?
    – Putvi
    Oct 24, 2019 at 18:34
-3

Silk Road was illegal because it knowingly hosted pirated software. The site you mention just allows you to sell things.

2
  • 2
    No, that was not the problem.
    – gnasher729
    Oct 25, 2019 at 20:24
  • @gnasher729 if you say so.
    – Putvi
    Oct 25, 2019 at 22:23

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .