Anonymous donations?

[Guriko]

There’re a lot of people on the internet that I’d like to support (Roosh, Mike Cernovich, Red Pilled America, Jay Dyer, E. Michael Jones etc.) but the amplification of censorship and outright banning out of services for alleged ‘wrong think’ has got me, ironically, thinking about how to that but anonymously.

I didn’t really spend much time pondering about this subject until now, because I started working and focused on establishing myself, but is using Bitcoin still the way to go if you’d like a layer of anonymity? I know that total anonymity on the internet doesn’t exist but if possible I’d like to remove myself from the most of obvious positions.

Any tips, like a nudge in the right direction or a short description on how you guys do it?

Thanks a lot and have a wonderful day!

 

[redbeard]

Bitcoin + Samourai wallet

You can also do prepaid debit cards

 

[Coja Petrus Uscan]

Any tips, like a nudge in the right direction or a short description on how you guys do it?

I donate to Roosh with BAT/Brave. This is a crypto that you can donate in a few seconds via the Brave browser.



Something from another post:

Get the Brave browser.

* Go to the URL: chrome://rewards/
* Enter ad settings and set it to show 5 per hour
* Turn auto-contribute off

If you are a regular internet user in the US you should get about $10 per month.

Then click on the triangle icon in the address bar and you can donate the tokens you earn from the Brave browser.

You can only successfully send tokens to those who are Brave publishers. That includes:

* Roosh
* Stefan Molyneux
* Infowars
* Bitchute

I doubt people do much with this BAT now. But I think it's one of the most likely cryptos to grow. It's one of the few with a real use, that is being used and growing. They also have a great team. So people you donate to with it could have a nice windfall once it takes off.

 

[foolhardie]

Using Bitcoin (BTC) with Samourai Wallet, or Monero (XMR) are your best chances of donating to someone on the internet, in a private and un-bannable fashion.

Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency. However, it's a public blockchain, meaning, the sender, the receiver addresses and the transaction amount are public and visible to everyone. The only thing that offers a modicum of privacy on Bitcoin is that the Bitcoin addresses do not necessarily contain real life identities.

If you want to use Bitcoin in a private way:

• Obtain Bitcoin without giving your real name/phone number/address, etc. info (collectively known as know-your-customer information). Generally centralized exchanges (such as coinbase, binance, etc.) require its users to submit such info before selling cryptocurrency to them.
• Use Samourai Wallet: an android wallet with many automated tools for transaction privacy

Or, you can use Monero. Monero is a cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin, but with transaction privacy options by default. While you have to make Bitcoin transactions stay private, Monero transactions are private by themselves. Therefore, there are not much to look after in using Monero. Just acquire some, and then use it. I would recommend, Cake Wallet, for new users.

Now, here are some ways of getting BTC or XMR without necessarily giving your personal data:

• Look for local Bitcoin atms: https://coinatmradar.com/
• Use https://bisq.network
• Use https://hodlhodl.com
• Use https://localmonero.co/
• Or, go to your local meetups on BTC/XMR and meet with people there who are willing to sell you some

 

[bucky]

Using Bitcoin (BTC) with Samourai Wallet, or Monero (XMR) are your best chances of donating to someone on the internet, in a private and un-bannable fashion.

Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency. However, it's a public blockchain, meaning, the sender, the receiver addresses and the transaction amount are public and visible to everyone. The only thing that offers a modicum of privacy on Bitcoin is that the Bitcoin addresses do not necessarily contain real life identities.

If you want to use Bitcoin in a private way:

• Obtain Bitcoin without giving your real name/phone number/address, etc. info (collectively known as know-your-customer information). Generally centralized exchanges (such as coinbase, binance, etc.) require its users to submit such info before selling cryptocurrency to them.
• Use Samourai Wallet: an android wallet with many automated tools for transaction privacy

Or, you can use Monero. Monero is a cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin, but with transaction privacy options by default. While you have to make Bitcoin transactions stay private, Monero transactions are private by themselves. Therefore, there are not much to look after in using Monero. Just acquire some, and then use it. I would recommend, Cake Wallet, for new users.

Now, here are some ways of getting BTC or XMR without necessarily giving your personal data:

• Look for local Bitcoin atms: https://coinatmradar.com/
• Use https://bisq.network
• Use https://hodlhodl.com
• Use https://localmonero.co/
• Or, go to your local meetups on BTC/XMR and meet with people there who are willing to sell you some

I tried to buy Monero a few years ago but couldn't figure out how. Seemed like you had to buy a better-known crypto like Bitcoin from one exchange (if that's the correct term), then use it to buy Monero from a different exchange. I'm a crypto newb, obviously. Regardless, with its security features Monero struck me as a crypto that stands out. I'd like to be able to donate to various "wrongthink" causes anonymously too, so I should probably look into it again.

 

[foolhardie]

I tried to buy Monero a few years ago but couldn't figure out how. Seemed like you had to buy a better-known crypto like Bitcoin from one exchange (if that's the correct term), then use it to buy Monero from a different exchange. I'm a crypto newb, obviously. Regardless, with its security features Monero struck me as a crypto that stands out. I'd like to be able to donate to various "wrongthink" causes anonymously too, so I should probably look into it again.

You are right in the sense that most people first acquire BTC and then exchange for XMR in order to transact privately.

The reason is, there simply are much more ways of acquiring BTC (more ATMs, more sell offers, etc.).

Once you have some BTC, you can exchange it to XMR using the bisq service.

 

[Bird]

Can I load a Bitcoin account at the ATM without having a smartphone?

 

[foolhardie]

Can I load a Bitcoin account at the ATM without having a smartphone?

You will have to explain what you mean by Bitcoin "account".

Normally, you have the option to print out a paper receipt that encodes your private keys (i.e., bitcoins) and take that as a paper wallet (used for short amount of time, due to that piece of paper being subject to lost, or paper getting damaged easily, etc.). So, in this sense, you can get some bitcoins without having a smartphone.

However, if you are going to spend those bitcoins later, you will need to use a wallet software. Again, I recommend specifically Samourai Wallet for transaction privacy needs.

 

[Guriko]

Update regarding my foray into crypto-currencies: short version is – holy f*** does this rabbit hole go deep!

About an hour ago I finished redbeards recommended introductory book by Saifedean Ammous The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking. Combined with what I learned about money, the banks and whole financial system from The Money Masters documentary… caused my head to spin for a while reeling from all the revelations.

Just like finding about the Red Pill so many years ago. Shit, it made me feel nostalgic, ha-ha.

So I think I got the basic knowledge of crypto’s down… now me having an iPhone means I need to buy myself an Android device in order to install the Samourai Wallet. Then by using the Coin Radar website I found a coin ATM located near me which I’ll use to fill my wallet and then I’ll try to make my first transaction.

We’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck.

Besides that I’ll ask a question, which popped into my head as I was reading the book – if I understood correctly the transaction fees using Bitcoins will grow ever larger due to the nature of Bitcoin as it is reaching, if not already reached, saturation levels of how many transaction per days it can make. Does this mean that trying to donate smaller sums of money (10 – 20 – 50 – 100 dollars worth) will be pointless due to high transaction fees or is this circumvented by Bitcoins being made of smaller units of Satoshis? Or is my understanding wrong? It may be a dumb question, if it is, I’m sorry… but for someone not versed into computing, coding all of this is something like out of a sci-fi book.

Have a lovely day you guys!

 

[redbeard]

Update regarding my foray into crypto-currencies: short version is – holy f*** does this rabbit hole go deep!

About an hour ago I finished redbeards recommended introductory book by Saifedean Ammous The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking. Combined with what I learned about money, the banks and whole financial system from The Money Masters documentary… caused my head to spin for a while reeling from all the revelations.

Great to hear

Besides that I’ll ask a question, which popped into my head as I was reading the book – if I understood correctly the transaction fees using Bitcoins will grow ever larger due to the nature of Bitcoin as it is reaching, if not already reached, saturation levels of how many transaction per days it can make. Does this mean that trying to donate smaller sums of money (10 – 20 – 50 – 100 dollars worth) will be pointless due to high transaction fees or is this circumvented by Bitcoins being made of smaller units of Satoshis? Or is my understanding wrong? It may be a dumb question, if it is, I’m sorry… but for someone not versed into computing, coding all of this is something like out of a sci-fi book.

Most advanced wallets (Blockstream Green, Samourai) have the option to customize how much you pay in fees. Some allow you to go all the way down to 1 satoshi. This is a great option for low time preference transactions (e.g. donations) where you don't care how long it takes for payment to deliver. Sure, your transaction might take 4-12 hours to confirm, but who cares?

 

[WomenLuvDeez]

You will have to explain what you mean by Bitcoin "account".

Normally, you have the option to print out a paper receipt that encodes your private keys (i.e., bitcoins) and take that as a paper wallet (used for short amount of time, due to that piece of paper being subject to lost, or paper getting damaged easily, etc.). So, in this sense, you can get some bitcoins without having a smartphone.

However, if you are going to spend those bitcoins later, you will need to use a wallet software. Again, I recommend specifically Samourai Wallet for transaction privacy needs.

Samurai may be good for privacy but nothing beats the ease of blockchain. If you really need to, you could always tumble the coins.

 

[foolhardie]

So I think I got the basic knowledge of crypto’s down… now me having an iPhone means I need to buy myself an Android device in order to install the Samourai Wallet.

Yes, Samourai Wallet is Android only. My recommendation would be getting a cheap/second hand Google Pixel 3 or 3a, and then deleting the Google's operating system and installing an open source, privacy respecting mobile operating system, GrapheneOS. The installation of GrapheneOS rather simple (check my post history, I mentioned the steps in doing that in one of my past posts).

Furthermore, you can always join Samourai Wallet's Telegram group, and ask wallet related questions there.

hen by using the Coin Radar website I found a coin ATM located near me which I’ll use to fill my wallet and then I’ll try to make my first transaction.

That's good. Make sure that the Bitcoin ATM does not require you to give up your personal informations (phone number, government ID, etc.). Some of the ATMs in my area do not require me to give such information, and getting some bitcoins is as easy as putting the cash bills inside the ATM, and then scanning my receive address from my Samourai Wallet.

Does this mean that trying to donate smaller sums of money (10 – 20 – 50 – 100 dollars worth) will be pointless due to high transaction fees or is this circumvented by Bitcoins being made of smaller units of Satoshis?

You have a point in saying the fees are going to rise. I would also predict that transaction fees will grow larger in the 5 years down the line. But that's rather a long time horizon. Today, you can make your transaction confirmed in half an hour by paying around <1 usd in transaction fees (that's also dependent on the mempool, which is the pool of bitcoin transactions broadcasted to the network and awaiting for confirmation).

Samurai may be good for privacy but nothing beats the ease of blockchain.

You mean blockchain dot com's wallet? I haven't used that. But a brief overview on the website shows that it lacks private-spending tools that Samourai has.

If you really need to, you could always tumble the coins.

I would advise against using tumblers. Tumblers are custodial mixing services; meaning, they take the ownership of your coins during the mixing process and then promise you to give new/mixed coins back.

Coinjoin within Samourai Wallet (called Whirlpool), on the other hand, is a non-custodial mixer; meaning, the coins you are mixing using the Whirlpool do not leave your custody. Thus, you do not have to trust Samourai to give you back your coins, since they never left your ownership.

 

[redbeard]

@foolhardie could you elaborate what are the downsides to using Samourai Wallet on an out-of-the-box Android OS?

 

[foolhardie]

@foolhardie could you elaborate what are the downsides to using Samourai Wallet on an out-of-the-box Android OS?

First of all, there are no serious drawbacks in using Samourai on Google's Android. I am not Edward Snowden, nor am I individually targeted by Google, or other big corporations nor governments (not yet, at least, afaik).

So, a newbie can use Samourai on a Google android phone.

However, as one goes deeper into the privacy rabbit hole, he gets dissatisfied with the way he deals with the mobile smartphone OS: he realizes that Google's Android has integrated many Play Store background processes, probably has some root level access to the phone, etc. etc.

So, in his quest in increasing his digital independence and sovereignty, he entertains the idea of switching to GrapheneOS. And perhaps, when he feels the right time, does the switch.

 

[kurtybro]

android is just but one OS running on your phone _

 

[Guriko]

Yes, Samourai Wallet is Android only. My recommendation would be getting a cheap/second hand Google Pixel 3 or 3a, and then deleting the Google's operating system and installing an open source, privacy respecting mobile operating system, GrapheneOS. The installation of GrapheneOS rather simple (check my post history, I mentioned the steps in doing that in one of my past posts).

Furthermore, you can always join Samourai Wallet's Telegram group, and ask wallet related questions there.


That's good. Make sure that the Bitcoin ATM does not require you to give up your personal informations (phone number, government ID, etc.). Some of the ATMs in my area do not require me to give such information, and getting some bitcoins is as easy as putting the cash bills inside the ATM, and then scanning my receive address from my Samourai Wallet.


You have a point in saying the fees are going to rise. I would also predict that transaction fees will grow larger in the 5 years down the line. But that's rather a long time horizon. Today, you can make your transaction confirmed in half an hour by paying around <1 usd in transaction fees (that's also dependent on the mempool, which is the pool of bitcoin transactions broadcasted to the network and awaiting for confirmation).


You mean blockchain dot com's wallet? I haven't used that. But a brief overview on the website shows that it lacks private-spending tools that Samourai has.


I would advise against using tumblers. Tumblers are custodial mixing services; meaning, they take the ownership of your coins during the mixing process and then promise you to give new/mixed coins back.

Coinjoin within Samourai Wallet (called Whirlpool), on the other hand, is a non-custodial mixer; meaning, the coins you are mixing using the Whirlpool do not leave your custody. Thus, you do not have to trust Samourai to give you back your coins, since they never left your ownership.

I am now in the process of acquiring a Google Pixel - in the instructional video for installing Graphene OS it said that it could lead to bricking the phone. If it happens due to the fact that I'm a still newcomer when it comes to installing custom software on a phone... is it hard to fix such a bricked one or is done for good?

 

[foolhardie]

is it hard to fix such a bricked one or is done for good?

By "bricked" it probably means the phone becomes as good as a brick -- no return to functionality.

Thus, follow the instructions carefully.

 

[Stadtaffe]

Bitcoin + Samourai wallet

Why does the wallet matter? I have used 'electrum' wallet up till now for bitcoin. It's no big deal to move some of the bitcoin to another wallet but I had no idea the wallet would make a difference. Isn't it more the design of the crypto itself that the wallet you use? How hard is it to track someone anyhow who has sent bitcoin somewhere?

I heard that zcash was the one deliberately built for privacy, but didn't look into the technical details. I got some of it a few years ago

 

[redbeard]

Why does the wallet matter? I have used 'electrum' wallet up till now for bitcoin. It's no big deal to move some of the bitcoin to another wallet but I had no idea the wallet would make a difference. Isn't it more the design of the crypto itself that the wallet you use? How hard is it to track someone anyhow who has sent bitcoin somewhere?

I heard that zcash was the one deliberately built for privacy, but didn't look into the technical details. I got some of it a few years ago

The Bitcoin protocol doesn't have any privacy built in, but wallets can utilize mixing and obfuscation to increase anonymity. I wrote a bit about Samourai here:

The Bitcoin (BTC) thread

I guess our definition of "crazy risks" is a bit different. I'd bet most agree that raising your hand to the IRS saying "yes, I own crypto!" is a crazy risk. Becuase that's exactly what happens when you go through KYC. LOL now that BTC is pushing $20K the old BTC meetup solution to sell BTC for...

www.rooshvforum.com

 

[Stadtaffe]

The Bitcoin protocol doesn't have any privacy built in, but wallets can utilize mixing and obfuscation to increase anonymity.

Thanks for that I had a look at the Samourai website:

A common blockchain surveillance tactic is address clustering. Crawling the blockchain for public meta data, these firms are able to cluster enough addresses and transaction history to form an identity, even across different wallets.

STONEWALL creates special transactions that provide strong statistical doubt as to the link between sender and recipient.

These transactions are not suitable for surveillance clustering attempts as the sender and recipient cannot be determined with any reasonable degree of certainty.

It makes me sick that there should be companies devoted to surveying the blockchain on behalf of governments and banks!!! -

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able to cluster enough addresses and transaction history to form an identity !

...so what they know that someone exists who bought bitcoin on such and such a date, donated to Roosh on such and such a date... Then if they don't like that person I suppose they get a warrant and take it to the place that sold them the bitcoin and find out who it was and get them. This was the OP's worry, for various wrongthink characters. I worry more for the future than the present, there are so many worse things you can do with currency than donate it to a podcaster or blogger.

Samourai also has something called whirlpool which is a coinjoin product that breaks the link of bitcoin with its past. Sounds like bitcoin needs laundering in some cases.

The blockchain was 200GB big last I checked. Probably too much for the average person to somehow index in a databank and perform queries but if there are commercially driven companies with teams of IT people, the government is probably paying them more and more to be able to pull things out of the blockchain faster. Who knows how far they have come. It's not like your name is in the blockchain but it says somewhere other metadata is, perhaps your IP address.

I find it messed up that one should need to then 'obfuscate' with a special wallet, change wallet address with each transaction and wish they would just mind their own business and stop spying on us. It's like you constantly have to stay ahead of the 8 ball.

Whatever privacy or anonymity product you use, there is a hurdle or price for someone to crack it. It's obviously not free to deanonymise bitcoin, so is that done only for high profile targets or for everyone who uses it.

Sometimes I wonder if they are even tracking cash with the little serial numbers on it.

How is bitcoin an alternative to central banking if the government has completely got their nose it? If cryptocurrency can't be as anonymous as cash, and there are firms working hard to deanonymise it I'm not sure it can really change the world or there is any point to it. You're barely even a rebel for owning some.

Or, you can use Monero. Monero is a cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin, but with transaction privacy options by default. While you have to make Bitcoin transactions stay private, Monero transactions are private by themselves. Therefore, there are not much to look after in using Monero. Just acquire some, and then use it. I would recommend, Cake Wallet, for new users.

Now, here are some ways of getting BTC or XMR without necessarily giving your personal data:

• Look for local Bitcoin atms: https://coinatmradar.com/
• Use https://bisq.network
• Use https://hodlhodl.com
• Use https://localmonero.co/
• Or, go to your local meetups on BTC/XMR and meet with people there who are willing to sell you some

Thanks @foolhardie, after reading this thread and doing some background research I think I will convert some of my bitcoin into Monero, maybe even a larger chunk of it. Those links look like they will help with the conversion. Bitcoin no longer seems that wholesome. Only problem is the price of Monero has risen in recent times, looks like it might even be at an all time high, US$445. Nowhere near the price of a bitcoin however, US$56500 (a lot). Maybe best to stagger the purchases. I wonder if Monero can also be written out as a magic phrase on paper if necessary..

Cake wallet does not seem to be available for Linux. That is the annoying thing about crypto, you can have dollars, euros, pounds in the leather wallet in your pocket but it just doesn't work like that with Bitcoin and Monero. Makes a mess all over your user folder and hard disc.

Actually, it seems there are wallets which take multiple currencies - https://atomicwallet.io/ - but is that safe? It is even specifically available for Debian. Will start initially with a Monero dedicated wallet for Linux.