Crypto isn't as private as you might think.
But I do agree with what you're saying.
Using a prepaid credit card, which was paid for using cash, is probably your best bet.
this post was submitted on 16 May 2024
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Bitcoin isn't private. Monero should be what you use for anonymous/private payments.
Monero
I know of Monero, but haven't used it. How are funds added to the Monero account?
Start at www.getmonero.org
After you install a wallet, you need to get some Monero. There are multiple ways to acquire some coins to spend, like mining or working in exchange for Monero, but the easiest way is to use an exchange and convert your fiat money into XMR. Many exchanges, centralized and decentralized, list Monero (XMR).
This sounds crazy complex for most people.
Cash -> Prepaid credit card (all still real money) is best, with the caveat that it may not be accepted everywhere. But then again, Monero is hardly accepted anywhere.
No more complex than opening a bank account, and finding a way to get cash to put in it, whether that's getting a job, prostitution, selling things, etc.
It sounds complex, but so is becoming a millionaire.
No more complex than opening a bank account, and finding a way to get cash to put in it, whether that’s getting a job, prostitution, selling things, etc.
I don't want to keep arguing, but I disagree. Even the most simple person in the world can open a bank account and put money in it. "Tap to pay" and e-transfers are as easy as they get, and cash withdrawal is something that anyone can do anywhere in the world.
Talking about "fiat money" and "XMR" and "coins", isolates like 99% of the population.
Someone working at McDonalds can easily get paid and withdraw that money to use in a real store they can walk into. How does one even attempt any of that with Monero? Can you pay your mortgage or electrical bill with Monero? What about paying someone to fix drywall?
Monero may be a fine option for some, but it's nowhere close to being a mainstream option for ordinary people.
You're right, there is no argument. You merely stated that crypto wasn't private and I showed where that statement doesn't have to be accurate.
Fair enough. I don't know much about how money is added into Monero to say whether it can be traced or not. Cryptocurrency is pretty broad, so there may be exceptions to my original statement.
I used to use the prepaid approach a lot, but recently it seems like some companies are rejecting them. Mainly seeing it happen with subscription based services.
That's crazy. Don't they want money? LOL
Yeah, that's true for most of them, they all are basically useless. It's only worth to use private crypto, like Monero, that is designed actually with privacy in mind.
In my country it isn't an option. I can only use virtual revolut prepaid or gift cards.
Https://monerica.com. your welcome.
Depends on what you are using them for.
E.g., if you maintain a Proton email account because you don't want your emails mined for businesses to advertise at you, then you give very little info away by your bank finding out about the purchase.
If you use it because you're engaging in activity that could be considered illegal, then your bank knowing about the purchase is probably the least of your problems if someone starts digging. Mysudo has to respond to a court order just like your bank and has access to all of the same PII
but I don't know if it makes sense if my bank knows I'm using it anyway so they can sell that info to advertisers, gov, etc.
Yeah it's not ideal, but it's still much better because these services won't give access to your data if they can avoid it, and then data that is encrypted is not useful when given out
TLDR: "privacy" services can't be bothered and you shouldn't too if you are not doing illegal stuff.
These "privacy-oriented" services are businesses that need to earn money, not scare away potential clients and avoid legal issues. Accepting cash or crypto is a risk for legal and accounting reasons. They just don't think it's worth it.
Now, to link a particular activity on a particular service with you via your payment is not a trivial task. Government can do it, but it really matters if you think you are or will be targeted by it. Data miners can correlate bank payment with an account at a service provider only if both bank and service provider sell or leak data, which is less likely if you are using a privacy a oriented service.
So in your opinion is not worth to use any these online services and better go offline?
No, I didn't say that. It depends on your risk model. If you are an average Joe don't worry that services are charging your credit card. If you are hiding from government then better use less online services, and if you must then find ones that accept crypto