Legal Issues Surrounding Bitcoin: Cases and Complaints

Update: Feb 19, 2014 This thread isn't really getting updated much anymore. As Bitcoin spreads its wings, every country will start having its own legal stories about it. Feel free to keep posting stuff, but this thread won't be the go-to list like it used to be.

So, what happened in France? Back in Sep 2011, Mt. Gox tried to keep its bank account in France. It's the first legal move tied to Bitcoin there.

TradeHill vs Dwolla Mar 2012, California: TradeHill filed a lawsuit against Dwolla. They claimed Dwolla reversed transactions and marketed itself as cash-like without chargebacks. What a mess.

UK's take on Bitcoin Oct 2011, some British regulator allegedly talked about Bitcoin's legal status. It’s wild how they still can’t seem to figure it out.

FBI Report from April 2012 So, the FBI decided to analyze Bitcoin and spread the word internationally. Gotta love the timing, right?

Brazil says NO to investment groups In July 2012, Brazil's CVM shut down a Bitcoin investment group because they were breaking the law. Ouch!

FinCEN FOIA request So Gavin Andresen got a reply from FinCEN about how money transmitter rules apply to virtual currencies back in June 2012. Interesting read for sure.

Norway’s Financial Supervisory Authority In March 2012, they released a report on risks and mentioned Bitcoin as a shady business. Kind of harsh, no?

Canada’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Activity Financing Watch Bitcoin was mentioned as a potential tool for criminals back in 2011. Can’t say I’m surprised.

Ron Paul on Bitcoin In Aug 2012, Ron Paul's subcommittee had a meeting about sound money. Bitcoin was brought up in relation to barter. Makes sense.

Brian Cartmell vs Bitcoinica So there’s a suit from Aug 2012 in California trying to recover losses from Bitcoinica. Big bucks involved.

New Hampshire says yes to Bitcoin donations In Aug 2012, they figured out Bitcoin can be used for campaign donations, as long as donor info is provided.

BitFloor gets hacked Sept 2012, BitFloor reported a hack that stole 24,000 BTC. They filed complaints with FBI. Rekt!

Germany’s BaFin on Bitcoin Oct 2012, they ruled that businesses holding Bitcoin need a banking license. That's a big deal.

Finland’s Bank of Finland stance Päivi Heikkinen of Bank of Finland in Sept 2012 said Bitcoin isn’t illegal. People can use whatever money they want. Love that attitude!

Italy’s secret police report In Oct 2012, they released a report on Bitcoin. They’re not too happy about how it slips through their control. Classic.

ECB on virtual currencies In Oct 2012, the European Central Bank did a deep get into Bitcoin. They covered a lot of ground; 55 pages of insights!

Search warrant for Bitcoin wallet Sept 2012, US Secret Service got a warrant to seize a Bitcoin wallet while investigating a different case. Wild times.

Australia court and Silk Road Jan 2013, an Australian court mentioned Bitcoin as payment for drugs from Silk Road. Just shows how it’s intertwined with shady stuff.

FinCEN clarifies rules for virtual currencies In March 2013, FinCEN laid down the law on virtual currencies. They made it clear that we’re all money transmitters now.