ZoneBitcoin EditorialSince its creation in 2009, Bitcoin has attracted considerable interest as a decentralized digital currency. One of its most touted features is its potential to improve privacy and protect user privacy. For many supporters of Bitcoin, this is even its greatest advantage. Many bitcoiners use bitcoin precisely because it does not involve going through a bank and allows everyone free and unmonitored use.
In this article, we will explain how Bitcoin allows better confidentiality while showing how to strengthen this aspect in your use of Bitcoin.
Understanding Bitcoin’s “pseudonymity”
Bitcoin is often misunderstood regarding its anonymity. Contrary to popular misconception, Bitcoin transactions are not completely anonymous, but they are pseudonymous. This means that transactions are recorded on a public blockchain, but they are not directly linked to user identities but to bitcoin addresses. In fact, every Bitcoin user has one or more Bitcoin addresses, which are alphanumeric strings for sending and receiving bitcoins.
So while Bitcoin offers a certain degree of privacy by not automatically revealing user identities, there are advanced techniques that can be used to try to trace transactions back to actual individuals. For example, a person who will be registered on an exchange platform by having provided their identity documents has bitcoins which are traceable.
This is also what explains that it is a prejudice to believe that criminals use bitcoin for their illegal activities. The fact that transactions can be traced makes it a risky asset for criminal activity.
Using Specific Mixers and Wallets
The second practice consists of storing your bitcoin in non-custodial (non-custodial) wallets. This means you own your private keys and control your funds, without the need for any intermediaries. These are the two essential practices if you really want to strengthen the confidentiality of your use of bitcoin.
The fact that Bitcoin is pseudonymous explains why some Bitcoin users choose to use techniques such as Bitcoin mixers or privacy-enhanced wallets to improve their anonymity.
To improve anonymity, many Bitcoin users use coin mixing services that mix their bitcoins with those of other users, making it more difficult to trace transactions.
Additionally, privacy-enhanced wallets, such as Wasabi wallet or the Samourain wallet offer functionalities to reinforce anonymity using techniques such as the coinjo.
Generally speaking, protecting the confidentiality of one's information necessarily involves purchasing bitcoin with methods without KYC and on peer-to-peer platforms Like on Peach Bitcoin ou Noons for example.
Understanding Bitcoin’s “permissionless”
When you own bitcoin, you can choose to spend it however you want at any time. Unlike your banker who can monitor the slightest transaction, you can send or receive bitcoins without asking “permission” from anyone. Anyone can create a bitcoin address without asking anyone for permission who might refuse this request. Bitcoin is open and accessible to everyone.
It is in this sense that Bitcoin gives you unparalleled financial confidentiality because it is you who control your transactions. Bitcoin provides financial privacy by allowing users to control their own funds and not rely on financial intermediaries. This protects privacy by preventing third parties from accessing personal financial information. What you do with your bitcoin, no one can know.
Full control of your funds
When you hold bitcoins, you have complete control over your funds. You can store them in a wallet that only you control, meaning no one else has access to your funds without your permission. This eliminates the risk of account seizure or freezing by third parties.
Likewise, one characteristic of Bitcoin is to be “censorship resilient”. All Bitcoin transactions are uncensorable, meaning that no one, including governments or financial institutions, can prevent a transaction from being processed. This provides protection against financial censorship and seizure of assets by third parties.
Protection of privacy and your personal information
Bitcoin offers protection against intrusive financial surveillance. It allows individuals to protect their privacy by limiting the amount of personal information disclosed during transactions.
When you make a Bitcoin transaction, you are not required to disclose any personal information such as your name, address, or social security number. This reduces the risk of surveillance by malicious third parties. You don't have to answer to anyone either. Your personal data is not required and you do not have to disclose it to complete a transaction on the network.
Conclusion: Exercise caution
In conclusion, Bitcoin offers better confidentiality and privacy protection due to its pseudonymous system, individual ownership and control, and its resilience to censorship.
However, it is essential to understand the challenges and potential tradeoffs associated with using Bitcoin, including the fact that addresses can be traced even more when users purchase bitcoin on centralized platforms that require identity documents. As we mentioned above, despite its pseudonymity, blockchain analysis techniques can sometimes be used to associate Bitcoin addresses with real people, thereby compromising privacy.
For those who wish to protect their financial privacy, you still need to know and apply the best practices to strengthen your confidentiality and privacy with Bitcoin.
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