TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast #618: The Samourai Case Threatens Every Bitcoiner with Zack Shapiro
May 14, 2025
Zack Shapiro, who works at P2P Rights and the Bitcoin Policy Institute, dives into the troubling implications of the Samourai case for Bitcoin enthusiasts. He sheds light on the government's approach to non-custodial software and the potential precedents it could set. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation, the challenges posed by the Bank Secrecy Act, and the importance of community engagement in advocating for Bitcoin’s decentralized future.
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Dangerous Legal Misinterpretation
- The government is criminally prosecuting Samurai Wallet developers for software that only facilitates user-controlled Bitcoin transactions.
- This misinterpretation poses a threat to all Bitcoin developers, users, and the ecosystem's sovereignty.
Build Superior Custody Solutions
- Bitcoin custody solutions must be better than traditional brokerage accounts to encourage self-custody.
- Entrepreneurs should build compelling, high-net-worth custody products that let users control their Bitcoin securely.
Prosecution Threatens Entire Bitcoin Ecosystem
- If software developers are criminally liable for money transmission, everyone involved in Bitcoin infrastructure is at risk.
- This could outlaw node runners, miners, wallet makers, and completely choke Bitcoin adoption in the US.