This is similarly why I don’t endorse people trying to explain their “rights” to the police while insulting and provoking them at the same time. It might not be lawful but you’re gonna get punished.

SIR I AM TRAVELING

If by "taking a side" you mean siding with people who built privacy software for Bitcoin or siding with the DOJ who wants to prevent financial privacy yes, I think you do.

The whole story is out. They made a non-Custodial Bitcoin wallet with privacy features. They got chargd with unlicensed money transmission, in spite of never controlling the funds of anyone using the wallet. They were not charged with money laundering.

There's always one retarded enough to think you're not talking about PRECISELY them.

Oh shit, there are TWO today. It's a Christmas miracle.

All the people who blame them for "poking the bear" 1) don't seem to understand freedom of speech 2) think ₿ is going to separate money from the state without "poking the bear" I can't believe the number of unsympathetic bitcoiners over shitposts and privacy. Do the LN nodes and mints not make money, do miners not make money, do DEX's not make money? Why is making money a problem? They never were charged with tax evasion. Since when is an American talking shit and following the law as written make them criminals. WTF?

But they pleaded guilty. Made a deal and now complain about it? Dont like the deal, go to trial!!! They are innocent after all

They had insufficient funds to go to trial. The costs of these sorts of high profile cases are astronomical. They spent $4m in legal fees to get as far as they did. They would have needed +$10m to last to trial. The government drowns their opponents in discovery and all manner of delaying tactics in order to drive up the costs of trial, all while dangling plea deals with lighter sentencing. If they had gone to trial and lost it would have likely been 25 years instead of 5.

Keonne explains it multiple times amongst all the interviews and podcasts he's been on. They got a new woman judge who was openly hostile to them and threw out their motions and evidence. It was clearly rigged and they'd be facing likely 25 years minimum if it went to trial. Federal prosecutors gave like a 98% conviction rate or something insane like that. He was also 2 million in debt to the law firm at this point and would have to find out how to finance the trial. They weren't getting shit in donations because none of the big Bitcoin names covered this let alone donated large sums.

Yes i saw the interview. But pleading guilty doesnt contest their claim as only software devs.

Yes i saw the interviews. Still, if they had no access to funds, they should be innocent in a trial. They could get cheaper representation.

Tornado cash did not poke any bears why your beloved Uncle Sam went after them?

For them it's a huge gamble, with almost guaranteed loss. You're assuming the courts care about justice and not résumé padding.

Im sure they were in a lose-lose worse situation. But the innocent plea is really important imo. You cant easiky claim mis-justice if you plead guilty. I for sure dont believe courts are about justice. Im on Nostr, not X.

Yeah definetly lose lose but as a married man, I'd be nearly impossible for me to risk 25 years in prison vs 5. If I were single maybe I'd consider becoming a martyr but even then we're talking about being in prison your whole young - middle aged adult life. You can't expect that from Keonne and especially Bill who would basically be signing up for the rest of his life in prison. Also they'd have to give millions to the government with interest 25 years down the line so they're effectively slaves after getting out. Impossible decision.

Yes agree. They are anyhow a martyr regardless how long their sentenance. Im also sure if they didnt accept the carrot, they could be given the stick.. forced sex change, etc etc

Yeah it can't be underestimated the brutality of the federal government when they wish to make an example of you.

There sure are a lot of faggots defending the State.