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US Seeks 5-Year Prison Term for Samourai Wallet Founders

They pled guilty. Never plea guilty. If you're honest, then the government isn't being honest ; if you're dishonest, the government is still also dishonest. Its better to choose martyrdom than deal with the devil.

The US government should be careful. This will only push more individuals into using decentralized tools.

advocates wrote that doing so was like saying math is illegal and privacy is a crime, since in theory the wallet was within the legal framework and everything they are blaming is more of an attempt to stop tools that offer privacy

I agree with the thought but can’t imagine how I’d react put in the same position. When the mafia makes the rules you may find it’s not just you that suffers, but those closest to you. It’s one of those decisions I hope they/we don’t all regret. It’s not legal precedent now, but the implications of a plea certainly don’t help free speech. Watching the Flash stream of news we can’t help notice our privacy is also under threat. Erosion of privacy chills free speech. When people feel constantly monitored, they're less likely to express dissenting or unpopular opinions, fearing judgment, retaliation, or other consequences – effectively self-censoring and limiting open discourse. Essentially, privacy provides the space needed for free thought and expression. And “unpopular opinion” is now just a figment of reality when central media gives us the narrative of what is popular. So, I guess back to your point. 😔