I'm interested in OpSec for my purchases of reading material because I don't believe it's anyone's business who I read.
That said, I don't understand how purchasing coins works, and it seems there's a lot of ways to naively pay a lot for transaction fees, or have long hold times before you can transfer funds to a wallet. It also seems that there are some places to exchange cash for coins that pay more attention to where you transfer funds. (Not counting ATMs, that seem to be the most anonymous but also charge extortionate fees.)
At the most basic level, buying coins from a big exchange with a bank account seems to be telling my bank and the exchange what I'm doing. Not that crypto isn't legal (I don't think!) but some of its uses are less than legitimate and I wouldn't want to appear anything but on the level.
That said, I tend to view larger companies that have a track record and do a lot of business - Coinbase, CashApp, Robinhood - and yet I understand these are the ones that may entail issues of various types.
I also got advice that I should consider "washing" my funds through an online casino since they are legal in my state. I'm not sure whether that meant to fund a casino account with a bank account/credit card and then withdraw as coins to a coin wallet or to purchase coins, deposit to a casino, and then withdraw from a casino. Either way I understood the purpose to appear as though my typical wallet/purchase behavior is gaming, the most universally accepted American activity after firearms and cars
What's a noob to do
Is there a good FAQ about what wallets and exchanges one might prefer for clearnet purchases, and alternately for otherwise? I'm an eager reader so I'm happy to set up more than one if that's best!
That said, I don't understand how purchasing coins works, and it seems there's a lot of ways to naively pay a lot for transaction fees, or have long hold times before you can transfer funds to a wallet. It also seems that there are some places to exchange cash for coins that pay more attention to where you transfer funds. (Not counting ATMs, that seem to be the most anonymous but also charge extortionate fees.)
At the most basic level, buying coins from a big exchange with a bank account seems to be telling my bank and the exchange what I'm doing. Not that crypto isn't legal (I don't think!) but some of its uses are less than legitimate and I wouldn't want to appear anything but on the level.
That said, I tend to view larger companies that have a track record and do a lot of business - Coinbase, CashApp, Robinhood - and yet I understand these are the ones that may entail issues of various types.
I also got advice that I should consider "washing" my funds through an online casino since they are legal in my state. I'm not sure whether that meant to fund a casino account with a bank account/credit card and then withdraw as coins to a coin wallet or to purchase coins, deposit to a casino, and then withdraw from a casino. Either way I understood the purpose to appear as though my typical wallet/purchase behavior is gaming, the most universally accepted American activity after firearms and cars
What's a noob to do
Is there a good FAQ about what wallets and exchanges one might prefer for clearnet purchases, and alternately for otherwise? I'm an eager reader so I'm happy to set up more than one if that's best!
much love to all. Happy holidays.