<p>Regulators have not yet really figured out how to deal with Bitcoin, so things can change in the future. </p>

<p>It should be noted, however, that a Federal judge in Texas has ruled that Bitcoin is a legal currency. This came about when a guy set up a Bitcoin ponzi scheme and then tried to claim that he couldn't be persecuted because Bitcoin isn't a real currency. Fortunately, the courts disagreed.</p>

<p>Another way to think of it is this: When you exchange for Bitcoin, you are basically buying Bitcoins. Generally speaking, you are only forbidden from buying things that are expressively forbidden by law (i.e. drugs).</p>

<p>Right now, there is no government regulation that says that you cannot buy Bitcoin. And most likely for the government to set up a regulation against buying Bitcoins, it would have to prove that Bitcoins are harming the generally public (as is their argument in regards to drugs).</p>

<p>Personally, I doubt the government could make that case, and even if it wanted to, there are far more important things on their books.</p>

<p>If and when the government gets serious about regulating Bitcoin transactions, it will most likely focus on drug purchases, money laundering, and things that are illegal regardless of the currency used.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-16T11:44:36.517Z
2013-10-16T11:44:36.517Z
BTC_Hamster
<p>Right now Bitcoin is the round peg in the regulator's square hole.  </p>

<p>If Bitcoin is deemed to be a security, then certain restrictions might apply on how it is bought, sold, and held.  But Bitcoins themselves are not a debt, or a promise, or anything similar so it probably isn't a security.  </p>

<p>If Bitcoin is deemed to be a commodity, then certain restrictions might apply on how it is traded, if delivery to the buyer is at some point in the future -- as is the nature of most commodity transactions.</p>

<p>If Bitcoin is deemed to be a foreign currency, then certain restrictions could apply there as well.   FinCEN has explicitly stated that it does not see Bitcoin as a foreign currency.</p>

<p>But almost nowhere is there a restriction about acquiring a good, such as like what Bitcoin exchanges provide.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-16T02:47:14.253Z
2013-10-16T02:47:14.253Z
Stephen Gornick
<p>The issue with FinCEN and Regulatory compliance is this- How do they know that the Bitcoin Mr X is trading, exchanging, using, purchasing etc was not just gained for the sale of child porn, drugs, internet gambling, etc. A credit card company can block internet gambling, it can disallow the use of its card to openly pay for illegal stuff like drugs, explosives whatever. So a credit card has a much wider use case than bitcoin. </p>

<p>It is the challenge we are trying to overcome when it comes to providing services for the btc industry. A key piece in MSB activity is being bonded. As of now no bonding company (that we know of) wants to assume the risk. So even though we are a licensed MSB, we want to provide btc services we cannot comply with the regulatory requirements. One of which is bonding. We also need banks to take on the FBO accounts and right now they don't seem to want to do it. </p>

<p>So right now btc can be used within a relatively small environment (in comparison to a credit card or cash) but it will never be widely accepted by commerce until some very real problems can be solved. So I am not even sure if legality or being able to define its legality is relevant right now. </p>

<p>The biggest boon and benefit to bitcoin will come when someone finds a way to substantially show that the btc in my wallet did not come from illicit activity. Once that happens btc will be much easier to use and will hopefully become commonplace. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-14T15:41:16.220Z
Huh? Bitcoin being 'untraceable' (used lightly) is an inherent feature of cryptocurrency, not a problem that needs to be solved (or can be solved). The solution to the problem you mentioned is simple: treat it the same as cash. You can't trace cash. Instead you prove that you spent or gained the money with receipts and contracts. CC type payments shouldn't be considered the 'standard'.
DanielST
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-24T16:57:32.717Z
2013-10-24T16:57:32.717Z
John Kay
<p>Many have asked if the exchange of BTC for USD is legal, and they will cry "legal" and simultaneously cite FinCEN's regulations for a MSB. </p>

<p>However, they never explain if an individual trading BTC for USD (at, say, Mt. Gox or something of the like) is considered an MSB. </p>

<p>Could someone <strong>EXPLAIN</strong> why it is legal/illegal for an individual to exchange (not run an exchange, but be the customer) BTC for USD.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-15T22:17:55.257Z
Explain why it is legal to soak marshmallows in blue food coloring. I bet you can't do it. My understanding is that it is legal because no law prohibits it.
David Schwartz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-15T22:32:30.873Z
Are you positive no law prohibits the exchange of BTC for USD? Wouldn't registering as an MSB be considered the condition/law, and since this is a grey area how would one know?
ConfusedBTCProspector
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-15T22:40:37.650Z
You cannot be an MSB if you aren't a business. I don't recall what the threshold test was, but it's pretty high.
David Schwartz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-16T00:53:02.940Z
So that would mean individuals acting privately on their own behalf would classify as "users" and thus be legally allowed to exchange currency?
ConfusedBTCProspector
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-16T00:55:22.410Z
That is my understanding.
David Schwartz
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-24T17:30:15.593Z
Here is a good article series in Coindesk by a lawyer regarding the matter http://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-law-what-us-businesses-need-to-know/ and http://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-law-money-transmission-state-level-us/
Mikko Ohtamaa
<exchanges><mtgox><legal><trade><fincen>
Need an explanation as to why the exchange of BTC for USD is legal
ConfusedBTCProspector
# Need an explanation as to why the exchange of BTC for USD is legal

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-10-15)

Many have asked if the exchange of BTC for USD is legal, and they will cry "legal" and simultaneously cite FinCEN's regulations for a MSB.

However, they never explain if an individual trading BTC for USD (at, say, Mt. Gox or something of the like) is considered an MSB.

Could someone **EXPLAIN** why it is legal/illegal for an individual to exchange (not run an exchange, but be the customer) BTC for USD.

Thank you.

**Tags:** exchanges, mtgox, legal, trade, fincen

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Explain why it is legal to soak marshmallows in blue food coloring. I bet you can't do it. My understanding is that it is legal because no law prohibits it.  
> **username_0**: Are you positive no law prohibits the exchange of BTC for USD? Wouldn't registering as an MSB be considered the condition/law, and since this is a grey area how would one know?  
> **username_1**: You cannot be an MSB if you aren't a business. I don't recall what the threshold test was, but it's pretty high.  
> **username_0**: So that would mean individuals acting privately on their own behalf would classify as "users" and thus be legally allowed to exchange currency?  
> **username_1**: That is my understanding.  
> **username_2**: Here is a good article series in Coindesk by a lawyer regarding the matter http://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-law-what-us-businesses-need-to-know/ and http://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-law-money-transmission-state-level-us/  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-10-16. Score: 1

Regulators have not yet really figured out how to deal with Bitcoin, so things can change in the future.

It should be noted, however, that a Federal judge in Texas has ruled that Bitcoin is a legal currency. This came about when a guy set up a Bitcoin ponzi scheme and then tried to claim that he couldn't be persecuted because Bitcoin isn't a real currency. Fortunately, the courts disagreed.

Another way to think of it is this: When you exchange for Bitcoin, you are basically buying Bitcoins. Generally speaking, you are only forbidden from buying things that are expressively forbidden by law (i.e. drugs).

Right now, there is no government regulation that says that you cannot buy Bitcoin. And most likely for the government to set up a regulation against buying Bitcoins, it would have to prove that Bitcoins are harming the generally public (as is their argument in regards to drugs).

Personally, I doubt the government could make that case, and even if it wanted to, there are far more important things on their books.

If and when the government gets serious about regulating Bitcoin transactions, it will most likely focus on drug purchases, money laundering, and things that are illegal regardless of the currency used.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2013-10-16. Score: 1

Right now Bitcoin is the round peg in the regulator's square hole.

If Bitcoin is deemed to be a security, then certain restrictions might apply on how it is bought, sold, and held. But Bitcoins themselves are not a debt, or a promise, or anything similar so it probably isn't a security.

If Bitcoin is deemed to be a commodity, then certain restrictions might apply on how it is traded, if delivery to the buyer is at some point in the future -- as is the nature of most commodity transactions.

If Bitcoin is deemed to be a foreign currency, then certain restrictions could apply there as well. FinCEN has explicitly stated that it does not see Bitcoin as a foreign currency.

But almost nowhere is there a restriction about acquiring a good, such as like what Bitcoin exchanges provide.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2013-10-24. Score: 1

The issue with FinCEN and Regulatory compliance is this- How do they know that the Bitcoin Mr X is trading, exchanging, using, purchasing etc was not just gained for the sale of child porn, drugs, internet gambling, etc. A credit card company can block internet gambling, it can disallow the use of its card to openly pay for illegal stuff like drugs, explosives whatever. So a credit card has a much wider use case than bitcoin.

It is the challenge we are trying to overcome when it comes to providing services for the btc industry. A key piece in MSB activity is being bonded. As of now no bonding company (that we know of) wants to assume the risk. So even though we are a licensed MSB, we want to provide btc services we cannot comply with the regulatory requirements. One of which is bonding. We also need banks to take on the FBO accounts and right now they don't seem to want to do it.

So right now btc can be used within a relatively small environment (in comparison to a credit card or cash) but it will never be widely accepted by commerce until some very real problems can be solved. So I am not even sure if legality or being able to define its legality is relevant right now.

The biggest boon and benefit to bitcoin will come when someone finds a way to substantially show that the btc in my wallet did not come from illicit activity. Once that happens btc will be much easier to use and will hopefully become commonplace.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Huh? Bitcoin being 'untraceable' (used lightly) is an inherent feature of cryptocurrency, not a problem that needs to be solved (or can be solved). The solution to the problem you mentioned is simple: treat it the same as cash. You can't trace cash. Instead you prove that you spent or gained the money with receipts and contracts. CC type payments shouldn't be considered the 'standard'.  

---

