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Isn't that what the distributed system aims to solve in the first place ? If they can't shut bittorrent down, how can they shut bitcoins ? They can crack down on the e-currency exchangers, but only those that operate within their jurisdiction. Would like to know if anyone has concrete examples of how they would go about doing this.

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Sure, and distributed file sharing aimed to protect file sharers from the kind of crap the RIAA has been dishing out since it's inception.

I would expect governments first to limit the viability of the currency, possibly through legislation (fines, jail time) aimed at businesses operating within their borders. Get caught dealing in bitcoins, go to jail.

If that doesn't dampen enthusiam I would expect the next phase to target ISP's. Mandated traffic monitoring and/or blocking, etc. Distributed networks don't mean shit when the connectivity medium isn't available.

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