Sitting in on Storm’s trial, I can’t help but feel violated in getting an up close experience of how the government can cherry pick information that’s been collected on you (e.g., transactions, messages, IP address activity) and paint any picture of you that they want. Just further solidifies why privacy is a foundational protection against government abuse; why it matters so damn much that people can build privacy-preserving technology.

🚨 NEW: The Samourai developers - Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill - have both pled guilty to count 2 of their indictment, the conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter business charge. More details in the video below:

@jenn_rosenthal When asked by the defense about the feasibility of creating a hypothetical user registry for TC and the potential dangers it might pose, the prosecution objected and Judge Failla didn’t allow Dr. Green to respond.

Very easy to look in hindsight at the plaintiff’s actions and think “maybe that wasn’t a great idea” but this just goes to show that they’ll manipulate anything someone does and take it out of context to destroy someone’s life.

Genius Act isn’t progression. It’s regression. We are further behind in 2025 than we were in 2015. “bUt NoW wE hAvE cLaRiTy” is the sentiment of slaves and serfs. Clarity that the government can definitely seize your coins and clarity that we have no legal means of escape from the traditional authoritarianism is not victory. People should be able to choose any form of money they wish and move it freely as they wish. No government involvement at all. None. No regs. No AML/ KYC. No accredited investor rules, no oversight, no ability to freeze, monitor or control. It’s all completely illegitimate, unethical and backed by violence. If that sounds crazy it’s because the system is crazy. Every step we take away from this vision is a step backwards and a victory for tyrants. Call me naive if you will. If you trust politicians with illegitimate power over things which should never be a crime, perhaps you need to read a history book. We should be fighting tooth and nail for more freedom, not celebrating less freedom. This technology may be the greatest opportunity of our lifetimes to make the world a better and more peaceful place. Don’t squander the opportunity by empowering the establishment.

Welcome to the United States. You can’t develop privacy tech in this country but you can absolutely shill your roach motel lending platform with a soulless stare.

Even if we put aside all political considerations, the aesthetics of this operation if creepy as fuck. Huge Orwellian vibe.

Censorship starts slowly, but gets faster and faster and faster. Resist it whilst you still can.

I didn’t like the Genius Act originally. But then I reviewed it with an open mind, researched it more and heard arguments from its proponents. Now I hate it more than ever.

All the witch hunt charges to protocols were dropped except for Tornado Cash and Samourai Makes ya think! Against the backdrop of the most "pro crypto" administration in history. Free them