As the crackdown on privacy-focused crypto services intensifies in the US, Wasabi Wallet has taken a bold step to restrict access for US citizens and residents. This decision comes in the wake of the arrests of the founders of Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash on charges of money laundering and operating unlicensed money-transmitting businesses.
The developer of Wasabi Wallet, zkSNACKs, has implemented IP address blocking for US residents on their domains, citing recent announcements by US authorities as the reason for this drastic measure. The move underscores the growing scrutiny of crypto operations by US regulators, particularly those offering privacy-enhancing services that could potentially facilitate illegal financial activities.
With the crypto industry facing increased regulatory pressure, the actions taken by zkSNACKs highlight the challenges faced by privacy-focused crypto service providers in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape. As the legal battles unfold for the founders of Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash, the future of privacy-focused crypto services in the US remains uncertain.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the crypto community grapples with the implications of these regulatory crackdowns on privacy-focused services.
