I'm surprised the writing did not mention cash. Was the first thing I thought of. Digital transactions can be toyed with, but cash has no record, and no automated means to reclaim it.
"Payments" perhaps means "Digital Payments"?
"Payments" perhaps means "Digital Payments"?
He also describes a Bitcoin transaction as not being "final" because it was seized by the government. This isn't really what most people mean by finality.
So you never really know what he means throughout the article due to imprecision and it comes off as not compelling.
When I get paid by credit credit card it's "final", because that transaction can't be cancelled, only a new transaction can be created to undo it without my consent.
Patrick loves to write coyly, but his point is simple: If the government can find the money they can take it back from you.
What he misses is that it only works if they can find the keys (or the next best thing -- your body).
Store puts up a 'No returns' sign, you have finality.
For example if they knowingly sell you defective stuff or if medicine is tainted, etc., there are laws that override such a policy.