hiphop1107

Criminals and terrorists are more inclined to deal in cash and keep cash as collateral than to use financial intermediaries such as banks and avoid anti-money laundering reporting and compliance regulations. Businesses and governments became worried that the pseudonymous and decentralized nature of digital currency transfers might offer a way for criminals to conceal their financial activities from the authorities. For instance, Bitcoin was used on the web-based, illegal drug market called Silk Road. This exchange and Bitcoin escrow program allowed more than 100,000 illegal product transactions from about January 2011 until October 2013, when the government shut down the company and detained persons operating the platform. Japan has not only legally recognized Bitcoin, but also created a regulatory framework to help the industry flourish. This is considered a major step forward for legitimizing cryptocurrencies. However, Japan has also mandated that by October 1, any Bitcoin or “alt...