Re: [Legality of bitcoin] Can a country really control the use of bitcoin?

Places like Egypt, Morocco or Algeria have set bitcoin use, illegal. What exactly stops people that live there to do bitcoin transactions since no one controls the network? And yes, without "cutting" their internet connection.

Prison time or even worst stuff, I don't know how fuck up the law is in those countries. I mean you can keep it underground but again it is a risk.

Why exactly is it risky? How will they watch you doin' it?

They won't watch you doing it, but they can work on network analysis and once relating a btc address to a real person they can apply the law. This looks dumb and barely to happen unless you are suspected or accused for something else. In my country, Tunisia, the use of crypto is not officially forbidden by law but we, as tunisian crypto users, know how the authorities can apply other laws related to monetary system of the country to accuse any suspected use of crypto.