Crap, i forgot about last week. Time for another Skepticism Sunday!

Stay on topic:

  • This thread is only for comments discussing the uncertainties, shortcomings, and concerns some may have about Monero.

  • NOT the positive aspects of it.

  • Discussion can relate to the technology itself or its economics.

  • Talk about community and price is not wanted, but some discussion about it maybe allowed if it relates well.

  • Be as respectful and nice as possible. This discussion has potential to be more emotionally charged as it may bring up issues that are extremely upsetting: many people are not only financially but emotionally invested in the ideas and tools around Monero.

How it works:

  1. Post your concerns about Monero in reply to this thread.

  2. If you can address these concerns, or add further details to them – reply to that comment. This will make it easily sort-able.

  3. Upvote the comments that are the most valid criticisms of it that have few or no real honest solutions/answers to them.

  4. The comment that mentions the biggest problems of Monero should have the most karma.

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.

  • jeffro256@monero.town
    61·
    1 month ago

    Chain analysis companies have proved that almost all of Monero’s usage is crime-related darknet activity. Ransomware, drugs, CP, and all the worse things you can imagine are used strictly with Monero in mind.

    This is not skepticism. This is bullshit, plain and simple. Unless you have behind-the-scenes knowledge that the public does not currently possess, there is zero evidence to suggest that almost all of Monero’s usage is crime-related. As of 2024, the IRS has still not paid out their final bounty for a tool to trace Monero transactions, and almost all spokespeople for chain analysis companies (some of which I have personally talked to) say that Monero is effectively untraceable in the majority of cases. As such, I don’t see how you conjured up this statement unless you have a specific distaste for Monero and no sense of obligation to speak truthfully. Please point to a source where chain analysis “proved” the majority of Monero usage is illicit. Even if we take at face value that Monero is the currency of choice for many criminal rings, there still needs to be evidence of actual numbers related to the criminal volume versus total Monero volume. Some organizations have tried scoping this out, but I honestly know of no source that pins it anywhere near that high. Most place it around the same as USD and BTC at ~1-3%, with some going as high 15%. There is a ton of variability in those figures, and all acknowledge that comprehensive data collection is inherently impossible (criminals don’t report their transactions, and good financial data is hard to collect even for honest participants), and not a single one has ever claimed to “prove” any of those figures.