Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
I wanted to try paying for Mullvad VPN using a private method (Monero). I created a wallet and went to an exchange (Kraken) to buy some XMR, but they want me to enter all my personal details upon registration. How does this make sense? Is there an exchange where I don't have to provide personally identifying information?
There are ways to get Monero without compromising your identity. I suggest looking or asking here: https://monero.town/c/monero
The exchange will see that you bought Monero. They won't see how you spent it
Unless you pay from the exchange's wallet
bisq or I think local Montero are no kyc. just send some dude some money through like PayPal and they'll send you the monero
Localmonero died recently :( Haveno is the one that is taking its place.
whattt what happened?
It was soon after Samourai arrests, so apparently the owners got scared of potential cryptocurrency crackdown and legal pressure. Its closure was pretty abrupt.
The only way you won't have to provide PII is if you buy it from someone outside of the exchange ecosystem (from somebody face to face with cash or a gift card (note: Local Bitcoin has been gone for about a year now)). Exchanges have to comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) laws if they want to operate in the US, which is why they're asking for PII.
That brings it's own share of risks as well. Like getting scammed for example.
There are dedicated events in the crypto scene, where people meet to sell and buy directly from each other To avoid KYC
here's an i2p magnet link to the irs chain analysis talk from last year:
magnet:?xt=urn:btih:d371d4e4cb9a3760ef79e94fde0b8edf22062e49&tr=http://tracker2.postman.i2p/announce.php&dn=chainalysis-monero-presentation-to-irs-august-2023.av1.webm
gives some insight into how they do it with their analysis tool. i'll let you draw your own conclusions based on your own risk profile, but if you're a target and they have enough confidence with the tool, they could grow a profile and subpoena the target exchange for kyc.
The only exchange I can think of might be Pancake Swap, but I'm not sure. You could trade coin with anyone who gets theirs from actual miners. I think this is probably the only way to fully avoid KYC.
I would not pay for a VPN, personally.
No, it makes no sense. Keep looking. Worst case, buy some locally for cash.