Anyone any thoughts on how likely a government level ban (China, US, whatever) is on XMR?
As it grows (in strength, threat and features) is it not more likely to be banned?
Here in the US software is protected by the freedom of speech, so theoretically Monero couldn't be banned here in the US (it's also allowed to skirt some laws because it's not a "real" currency but a digital asset). -- As for China I have no idea, although I can probably guess they'd ban it if it were to start get in their way (although that isn't to say that it would actually stop the Chinese from using it).
I think the freedom of speech issue relates to actually publishing the code and making it available, not using it.
So maybe you could publish software that is designed to download child porn and be protected, but the person running the software doesn't have that defense.
Same with Monero. Government could pass laws preventing individuals from using anonymous cryptos (or all cryptos). Or, they could try and use established law to argue that anonymous crypto by its nature cannot comply with existing AML / KYC.