The US government, through the Internal Revenue Service, allegedly forced Coinbase to hand over confidential information belonging to nearly 14,300 users. For DeFi Education Found (DEF), this type of practice is inconceivable despite the existence of a court decision dated 2017 granting this right to the IRS. To do this, the DEF mentioned the 4e amendment as well as certain aspects of blockchain and crypto technology.
Standoff between the IRS and the DeFi Education Fund
Let it be clear, American justice is not its first case of an injunction to disclose data to the IRS. Most recently, specifically in July, it pressed Kraken for information on transactions of $20,000 or more in a calendar year.
“ DEF [DeFi Education Fund] is proud to support the industry by filing amicus curiae briefs in precedent-setting cases, such as Harper v. IRS, which involves a John Doe subpoena to Coinbase that resulted in the IRS sending the private financial information of more than 14,000 users.
Our CLO Amanda Tuminelli presents our file. »
Translation of Amanda Tuminelli’s post:
“ Today, DeFi Education Fund submitted an amicus curiae brief in the Harper vs. IRS appeal (in progress in 1er Cir) to ensure the court understands the unique concerns of the Fourth Amendment in allowing the government unfettered access to the crypto transaction history of U.S. citizens. »
Based on this Twitter thread, Cointelegraph highlighted the filing of an amicus curiae with the United States Court of Appeals (First Circuit) on October 20. He supports the appeal of James Harmer, one of 14,355 US crypto traders registered on Coinbase, who was noted the request for confidential information.
Note that the Harper vs. IRS case aims at boycott of access to crypto transaction history by the US government following a legal decision in 2017.
Crypto, freedom and the rights of Americans
Although very young, cryptocurrency is similar to a troublesome technology for several governments. The United States, like Europe and China, are making sure to maintain control of these digital assets on which fans of freedom are banking.
Europe, for example, set up the “Atlas” project to keep an eye on the various movements in cryptocurrencies on well-known exchanges and blockchains.
For the United States, many suspect a plan to completely monopoly the Bitcoin hashrate. If 51% is reached, Uncle Sam will easily become master of the network. At the moment, he is only at 40% of the shares.
However, such power does not allow him to undermine the rights of Americans.
“ We are proud to support the industry [crypto] by filing amicus curiae briefs in the case which set jurisprudence, in particular to defend a fundamental principle according to which the government cannot erode Americans’ right to financial privacy (4A) simply because they don’t want to struggle with details of the technology “, continued Amanda Tuminelli.
But what is the 4 about?e amendment?
“ The right of citizens to be guaranteed in their person, their home, their papers and their effects against unjustified searches and seizures will not be violated and no warrant will be issued unless it is on serious presumption, corroborated by oath or solemn declaration describing precisely the place to be searched and the people or things to be seized. »
For Mr. Tuminelli, the Court must know how to differentiate crypto technology from TradFi given the transparency issues of the blockchain on all levels.
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