Edward Snowden has issued a strong warning to Bitcoin developers, urging them to prioritize privacy at the protocol level. As the US government increases its scrutiny of crypto mixers, Snowden emphasized that time is running out to implement privacy solutions. In a post on X, Snowden stated, “I’ve been warning Bitcoin developers for ten years that privacy needs to be provided for at the protocol level. This is the final warning. The clock is ticking.” Snowden’s message was prompted by the closure of Wasabi Wallet’s Coinjoin service due to regulatory uncertainty in the US. The US government has been cracking down on crypto mixers, charging the founders of Tornado Cash with money laundering and other offenses. Similarly, the founders of Samourai Wallet were arrested on similar charges last month. Snowden criticized the Department of Justice’s actions, calling for greater privacy in cryptocurrencies. He argued that financial privacy should be the default and not an exception. Snowden, who gained fame as a whistleblower for leaking classified information from the NSA, has long been a supporter of digital assets. He recently referred to Bitcoin as the most significant monetary advance in history. With regulatory pressures mounting, his warning serves as a reminder of the importance of taking action to protect privacy in the crypto industry.
