- Edward Snowden, the well-known whistleblower, has once again voiced his concerns about Bitcoin’s lack of privacy features, in light of Wasabi Wallet’s decision to discontinue their coinjoin coordination service.
- Snowden has been warning Bitcoin developers for ten years about the need for privacy at the protocol level, and he sees this as a final warning.
- Despite regulatory pressures and legal challenges, Wasabi Wallet will continue to operate as a conventional BTC wallet, promising continued privacy enhancements through other features.
Edward Snowden warns of ticking clock for Bitcoin’s privacy issues as Wasabi Wallet discontinues its coinjoin coordination service. The article explores the implications of this decision and the ongoing privacy concerns in the Bitcoin network.
Snowden’s Warning to Bitcoin Developers
Edward Snowden expressed his frustration with the slow pace of privacy enhancements within Bitcoin’s protocol. “I’ve been warning Bitcoin developers for ten years that privacy needs to be provided for at the protocol level. This is the final warning. The clock is ticking,” Snowden posted on X, commenting on Wasabi Wallet’s recent announcement.
Wasabi Wallet Discontinues Coinjoin Service
Wasabi Wallet, developed by zkSNACKs, has been a key solution for enhancing privacy for Bitcoin transactions through its coinjoin coordination service. However, due to ongoing regulatory pressures and the need for legal clarity, the team decided to halt this service as of June 1, 2024. Despite this, Wasabi Wallet will continue to operate as a conventional BTC wallet, assuring users of continued privacy enhancements through other features like client-side filtering, Tor integration, and custom coin selection.
Increasing Scrutiny on Crypto Privacy Tools
The decision by Wasabi Wallet comes amid increasing scrutiny and legal challenges facing crypto privacy tools. Notably, New York federal prosecutors recently charged the founders of another privacy-focused wallet, Samourai Wallet, with facilitating illegal transactions worth over $2 billion. This action is part of a broader crackdown by US authorities on wallets and mixers associated with illicit activities.
Conclusion
While Snowden has praised Bitcoin as a significant monetary advance, his concerns about its privacy issues remain consistent. The discontinuation of Wasabi Wallet’s coinjoin service highlights the ongoing challenges and regulatory pressures faced by crypto privacy tools. As the crypto industry continues to evolve, the need for privacy enhancements at the protocol level becomes increasingly critical.
