Hacker News Reader

> it's easy enough to find someone to meet in person and exchange crypto for $1-10k cash a few % below the market rate. Some will even pay above market rate if you can do $100k+

In case anyone is wondering, this is money laundering, and if you wind up with the wrong person on the other side, getting arrested and charged is among the better outcomes.

View on HN

At least with respect to US federal money laundering laws (18 USC 1956, et seq.), there needs to be “specified unlawful activity”, as defined, involved for it to be money laundering.

Running a legal porn site isn’t illegal.

I think what they are saying is that the counter-party in the in-person BTC/USD trade could have gotten those USD in an illegitimate way, and that by accepting those USD in exchange for BTC you’d be partaking in money laundering.

Is there really a legal responsibility placed on an individual selling BTC for cash to verify the source of funds?

I assumed that wouldn't be necessary if not operating like a business with the intention to turn a profit. If I sold my car for cash, would I have the same responsibility?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com