Edward Snowden Discusses Issues More Important Than Bitcoin ETF and BTC Price

Dive into an eye-opening conversation with Edward Snowden as he explores issues beyond Bitcoin ETFs and pricing during the Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023 event.

Snowden shares thought-provoking views on privacy concerns, the role of the U.S. SEC, and what we should really focus on for a secure crypto future.

Concerns Beyond Bitcoin ETF and Price: Insights from the U.S. SEC

Former CIA employee Edward Snowden, known for exposing mass personal data collection by the National Security Agency (NSA), made various statements on matters more significant than Bitcoin ETFs and BTC prices during the "Bitcoin Amsterdam 2023" event, held from October 12, 2023.

Snowden points out on X (formerly Twitter) that many people seem to focus solely on "cryptocurrency prices." He advises people to look beyond charts and pay attention to actual use-cases.

While the crypto industry has shown increasing interest in "Bitcoin ETFs," Snowden notes that "even if the price fluctuates due to ETFs, that is not desirable."

He explains, "Because it represents a form of dependence and domestication."

Snowden also insists that "we need to focus on more fundamental issues," stating it is "difficult, cumbersome, and risky but necessary."

Moreover, Snowden commented on those keeping an eye on developments related to the U.S. SEC and prices, saying, "Gary Gensler is not a representative of Bitcoin. I don't care about his thoughts, and neither should you."

The Crypto Industry's Privacy Concerns

Snowden also emphasizes the "remaining privacy-related issues," stating that the need for privacy tools like "CoinJoin," which makes BTC transactions hard to trace, highlights these problems.

He comments on on-chain analysis performed in the crypto industry and notes that reports on social media about "someone sending a certain amount of BTC" should not be considered normal or acceptable.

Snowden also highlights the privacy issues lurking everywhere in smartphones, Wi-Fi, and cameras. He emphasizes that manufacturers could enable software without incurring additional costs.

Snowden concludes by saying, "The need for CoinJoin proves that you are not free," and "holding assets secretly is not a sign of freedom."

Mention of the Arrest of Privacy Tool Developers

Snowden also talks about the situation where governments are trying to arrest developers of privacy tools.

He says, "The person who lays the asphalt is not responsible for the pedestrians," and warns that "if we as a community support this, it will worsen the world."

In the end, Snowden describes Bitcoin as "an essential element in the big game we are participating in," and that "the systems of payment and finance that we are influencing and manipulating will shape the future world."

Snowden concludes his speech by expressing interest in the decentralized open protocol "Nostr," aiming for a censorship-resistant global social network.

He states, "The key point of Nostr is that it tries to conceptualize the integration of freedom of speech and free trade. Open instant payments are a world-changing idea."

The contents of Snowden's speech are also available on the "Bitcoin Magazine" YouTube channel.