How stealth addresses work in Monero

(johndcook.com)

31 points | by ibobev 5 days ago ago

15 comments

  • chistev 3 hours ago

    Something I don't understand. What's the point of obfuscation if ultimately you can be caught when you try to convert it to fiat? If I have Btc and I convert it to monero to prevent tracking, how do I get it back to money in my bank account without being traceable?

    • matheusmoreira 39 minutes ago

      The idea is to not convert it into fiat. Create a parallel economy where monero is the actual currency, not some intermediary currency. Price things in monero.

      • vintermann 10 minutes ago

        Where would the trust come from? I mean the trust that people really do what they say they're going to do in the real world - like ship you the goods, do the work you paid for, don't immediately kick you out of the servers you paid to access etc. A shadow economy doesn't run itself, who's going to stick their neck out to even try to make it work?

        • ifwinterco 3 minutes ago

          Where does the trust come from for transacting in dollars, or Spanish pieces of eight? I'm not saying the monero economy is likely but there's absolutely no reason why it couldn't theoretically happen

    • danlugo92 an hour ago

      Bitcoin's traceability ruins its fungibility.

      • Anon84 an hour ago
        • RandomBacon 20 minutes ago

          Your post seems like F.U.D.

          #1: "between 2019 and 2023"

          #2: the author wrote "This attack is not realistic. ... This is why everyone needs to run their own node"

          #3: "digital forensic approach can still reveal sensitive information by examining off-chain artifacts such as memory and wallet files"

          So...

          #1 seems to have been mitigated.

          #2 seems to not be an issue if you run your own node.

          #3 seems to not be an issue if you don't let others do forensic analysis on your own computer (not the Blockchain).

          It's good that people do this research to help make Monero better. I am not criticizing the people that published what OP linked to. But of course OP's post is like saying "What makes you think paint is safe? Here's a post about how paint used to include lead."

        • hypeatei 33 minutes ago

          The fact that it's delisted from most exchanges because of its privacy features; if it was as traceable as Bitcoin, then the feds would allow it. What I see from these links is that it's not fully "traceable" and more educated guessing via heuristics.

          • littlecranky67 4 minutes ago

            Lightning (A layer-2 network based on Bitcoin) is similarly untraceable as Monero, without being an actual cryptocurrency. Yet the fed doesn't seem to concerned, probably also because few people and institutions understand Lightning, and the fed is not one of them or doesn't want to go against Bitcoin.

      • littlecranky67 13 minutes ago

        The fungibility of Bitcoin is achieved through layer-2 networks, such as Lightning. No, it is not another cryptocurrency, it is just another technological layer. You are still transfering bitcoins.

        Trumps "Bitcoin payment" portrayed extensively by the media was done in the Lightning network.

    • m00dy 2 hours ago

      Well, what you're asking about is basically a business. Most folks make bank just by setting up that kind of circle. I'd suggest reading up on front businesses like luxury restaurants that sit empty most of the time. it's such a classic play, everyone knows it. If you've got BTC and want to get it back into your bank account, hit me up anytime.

      • dewey an hour ago

        > If you've got BTC and want to get it back into your bank account, hit me up anytime.

        That's exactly how people get caught.

  • jqpabc123 5 days ago

    Alice and Bob may have a surprise in store --- the trust issues, the cost issues and the hoops they'll need to jump through in order to buy Monero, store it in a custodial wallet and then convert it back into fiat if needed.

    • danlugo92 an hour ago

      Because your auntie is using BTC to pay for her coffee? If anything she's using cashapp.

  • danlugo92 an hour ago

    Monero is the only real cryptocurrency.