{"id":2492,"date":"2018-10-10T22:45:39","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T22:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ictrechtswijzer.be\/?page_id=2492"},"modified":"2018-10-14T22:22:17","modified_gmt":"2018-10-14T22:22:17","slug":"money-laundering-and-bitcoin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ictrechtswijzer.be\/en\/witwassen-en-bitcoin\/","title":{"rendered":"Bitcoin and money laundering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Because of the rise of Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies), it has become possible to participate (more) anonymously in payment transactions. This has also increased the opportunities for money laundering. Also, bitcoins are widely used to purchase prohibited substances and goods on the dark web.<\/p>\n

In recent years, the Belgian Prosecutor's Office has become active in tracking down crimes committed using Bitcoins. There have already been several cases in which laundering criminal money into anonymous bitcoins has led to convictions (Bitcoin cashers). However, there is still little knowledge of cryptocurrency at the prosecutor's office and certainly at local police units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When does Bitcoin money laundering occur?<\/h2>\n

The use of Bitcoin is not in itself punishable, given that Bitcoin is considered a valid electronic medium of exchange. In the Netherlands, the court in Overrijsel<\/a>\u00a0in 2014 that Bitcoin is not legal tender, but a medium of exchange, just like gold and silver.<\/p>\n

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Because Bitcoin can be used to pay anonymously, prosecutors are quick to think of (economic) crimes. Thus, a number of criminal cases have been initiated in recent years in which individuals are suspected of using Bitcoin:<\/div>\n
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