Why is Silk Road criminal but not LocalBitcoins?
<p><a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/25342/how-are-the-localbitcoins-com-founders-safe-from-money-laundering-laws">How are the Localbitcoins.com founders safe from money laundering laws?</a></p>

<p>LocalBitcoins says its purpose is to connect buyers and sellers. That legalese makes it escape criminal laws.</p>

<p>What about Silk Road? Ross Ulbricht doesn't sell drugs. Someone using his service does.</p>

<p><strong>It comes down to intent</strong></p>

<p>... and possibly responses to illegal activity.</p>

<p>Localbitcoins intention is to facilitate trade in bitcoins - in itself a legal undertaking. Cryptocurrancy transactions can be used for illegal purposes but it is not the sites intention to enable that.</p>

<p>Amazon.com intention is to facilitate trade in books - in itself a legal undertaking. Some books contain material that is prohibited under some countries laws but it is not the sites intention to enable trade in illegal books.</p>

<p>Ebay.com intention is to facilitate trade in "stuff" - some "stuff" is illegal  but it is not the sites intention to enable trade in illegal stuff.</p>

<p>Silk Road intention was to facilitate trade in illegal goods and services - therefore they are accessories to the crimes committed.</p>

internet cryptocurrency money-laundering drugs money-service