Will criminal elements leverage cryptocurrencies? Criminal organizations as early adopters of technology, operating at the nexus of highest risk and highest reward. Money, by definition, is something you can use to buy anything. The more restrictions it comes with, the more it loses the fundamental principle of medium of exchange. I bet it's a lot easier to buy drugs with the New Zealand dollar than it is with bitcoin. Criminals will use money, but what we need to understand is that the tool is not the crime and has never been the crime. 99% of humanity is going to use money and other tools to feed our children, give them healthcare, education, and a better future. I'm not concerned with solving crime through attempting to control money. The organization you give the absolute power over money to, will become the criminal and punish not other criminals but their political opponents. We need to start thinking about separation of money and state, and understand that it just as important as the separation of church and state.

This is part of a talk which took place on May 8th 2017 at The Blockchain.NZ Conference in Auckland, New Zealand: https://antonopoulos.com/event/the-blockchain-new-zealand-conference/

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ABOUTAndreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and well-respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonopWebsite: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

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Read more:“Mastering Bitcoin” - https://www.bitcoinbook.info/“The Internet of Money” - https://theinternetofmoney.info/

Originally published as a YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGmtRA9S7_Y&list=PLPQwGV1aLnTu0KFDbHk4AUiiyce0xLX7p&index=18