Motion: Blockchain analysis companies are bad for bitcoin (Alex Gladstein vs. Dave Jevans)

Guests:Alex Gladstein (@gladstein)Dave Jevans (@davejevans)Host:Richard Yan (@gentso09)Today’s motion is “Blockchain analysis companies are bad for bitcoin.”Blockchain analysis companies are effectively on-chain detectives. They help exchanges and other financial institutions detect and monitor money-laundering activities and therefore stay in compliance. They also help law enforcement do financial investigations.But their tools may also be useful for repressive regimes in spying on financial behavior of their citizens, in hopes of crushing political dissidents.Today’s debater includes someone from the Human Rights Foundation, who is very passionate about bitcoin’s financial liberating cause, and someone that started one of the largest blockchain analysis companies, who believes their tools help bitcoin and what it stands for.If you’re into crypto and like to hear two sides of the story, be sure to also check out our previous episodes. We’ve featured some of the best known thinkers in the crypto space.If you would like to debate or want to nominate someone, please DM me at @blockdebate on Twitter.Please note that nothing in our podcast should be construed as financial advice.Source of select items discussed in the debate:Human Rights Foundation: https://www.hrf.orgCipherTrace: https://ciphertrace.com/Quick primer of blockchain analysis companies: https://news.bitcoin.com/a-forensic-analysis-of-blockchain-surveillance-companies/International anti-money-laundering organization FATF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_Action_Task_Forcehttps://www.realclearworld.com/2020/07/29/china_is_what_orwell_feared_500463.html

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It seems that the future of blockchain industry can go down very different paths, and each path has its group of hard core believers. They can’t all be right. Perhaps by hearing the experts debate, the rest of us can compare their reasoning and see the future a bit more clearly. Whether you’re a builder or investor, whether you consider yourself blockchain-savvy or blockchain-curious, if you want to hear all arguments before predicting the future of blockchain, this podcast is for you. Follow our twitter at @blockdebate. Host: Richard Yan (@gentso09). See you soon! Consensus optional, proof of thought required.