Hideo Nakamura Swan Bitcoin, a prominent bitcoin exchange platform, has recently made a significant policy change. The platform has decided to terminate the accounts of users who are found to be directly involved with bitcoin mixing services. This decision comes in the wake of increased pressure from banking partners, following a proposal by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to heighten record-keeping requirements for transactions involving these services.
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Swan Bitcoin Introduces Stringent Measures Against Mixing Services
Based in California, Swan Bitcoin is a key player in the Bitcoin services sector. It has communicated a critical shift in its operational policies concerning mixing services. In a recent communication to its customers, Swan Bitcoin indicated that it will now terminate any account that is directly involved with transactions either originating from or directed towards coin mixing services.
This policy change is attributed to the increasing pressure exerted by banking partners. This follows the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) proposed regulation aimed at imposing additional record-keeping duties on institutions that handle transactions including mixing services.
Yan Pritzker, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Swan Bitcoin, acknowledged the company’s general openness to coin mixing as a privacy-enhancing tool. However, he pointed out the logistical challenges in supporting such services while maintaining relationships with traditional financial institutions. Pritzker emphasized that instead of embarking on investigative efforts, the company prefers to sidestep potential risks altogether.
Pritzker noted:
From a game theory perspective, the banks’ stance is predictable and logical. They’re inclined to avoid extra due diligence, especially when the government has historically been averse to mixing services.
Backlash from the Crypto Community
Despite Pritzker’s explanations, sections of the cryptocurrency community have expressed strong opposition to Swan Bitcoin’s revised policy, viewing it as contrary to the core principles of the platform.
Samourai Wallet, a wallet service that includes mixing features, vehemently condemned Swan Bitcoin’s decision. They accused the exchange of prematurely enforcing a proposal that has not yet been legislated, urging users to either close their accounts or provoke account termination by using mixing services.
Samourai Wallet stated vehemently:
The proposal is still under consideration, yet compliance is already in action? This is a premature and defeatist approach.
Vlad Costea, the host of the Bitcoin Takeover podcast, also criticized Swan Bitcoin’s move. He described it as dystopian and fostering a culture of anti-crypto compliance. Costea, who is based in Europe and does not use Swan Bitcoin, suggested that he would cease using the service immediately if he were a customer.
What are your thoughts on Swan Bitcoin’s decision to terminate accounts associated with bitcoin mixing services? Share your views in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Swan Bitcoin Policy
What is the new policy change announced by Swan Bitcoin?
Swan Bitcoin has implemented a policy to terminate accounts of users who engage directly with bitcoin mixing services. This decision is in response to increased pressure from banking partners following a FinCEN proposal to enhance record-keeping for such transactions.
Why is Swan Bitcoin terminating accounts linked to mixing services?
The termination of accounts linked to mixing services by Swan Bitcoin is a result of pressure from banking institutions. This comes after FinCEN proposed stricter bookkeeping requirements for transactions involving mixing services, prompting Swan Bitcoin’s banking partners to exert pressure for compliance.
How has the crypto community reacted to Swan Bitcoin’s new policy?
The crypto community has largely reacted negatively to Swan Bitcoin’s new policy. Entities like Samourai Wallet and individuals like Vlad Costea have criticized the decision, seeing it as contrary to the ethos of cryptocurrency and a premature compliance with a proposal that is not yet law.
Who is Yan Pritzker, and what has he said about Swan Bitcoin’s policy change?
Yan Pritzker is the co-founder and CTO of Swan Bitcoin. He stated that while the company is generally open to coin mixing as a privacy service, it faces challenges in maintaining relationships with traditional financial institutions while supporting such services. He suggests that the company prefers to avoid risks associated with investigative work.
What does the FinCEN proposal involve, and how does it affect Swan Bitcoin?
The FinCEN proposal involves increasing the record-keeping requirements for transactions that include mixing services. This affects Swan Bitcoin as it puts additional pressure from banking institutions on the platform to comply with these enhanced regulations, leading to the policy change of terminating accounts involved with mixing services.
More about Swan Bitcoin Policy
- Swan Bitcoin Official Announcement
- FinCEN Proposed Rule on Cryptocurrency Transactions
- Crypto Community’s Reaction to Swan Bitcoin Policy
- Samourai Wallet’s Statement on Swan Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Takeover Podcast Comments
4 comments
this is why we cant have nice things in the crypto world, everyone’s just scared of the big bad regulators. swan bitcoin used to be cool, now this? disappointed…
totally unfair from swan Bitcoin! why even use bitcoin if you cant have privacy, right? this is against everything crypto stands for.
wow, just wow. Swan’s just bowing down to the banks and fincen, what happened to the spirit of decentralization? it’s just sad…
I think swan has no choice here guys, the regulations are tightening and they’ve gotta comply, its not their fault, banking pressures are real.