Crypto Privacy

Abstract

Did you know that the US government can legally seize your cash without any court order and charges against you? I didn’t until I read an article in The Washington Post about a former Marine pulled over by police when traveling from Texas to California to see his daughters. The police searched his car and found $87,000 in cash in the trunk. The ex-Marine was not arrested or charged with any crime. However, the police still decided to seize the money using a legal procedure called “adoption,” which allows federal authorities to take cash or property they suspect is connected to criminal activity without levying criminal charges. His only “crime” was that he did not trust banks and wanted to carry cash with him. I wouldn’t believe that this is a truthful story, but The Washington Post is one of the sources I still trust.