@Termie
I'll quote 2 sentences from this article (https://decrypt.co/49182/ciphertrace-files-patents-for-tech-that-traces-monero-transactions), the impact is on 2nd. 

"But CipherTrace’s patents claim that transactions are entirely traceable.

The patents, however, have not been approved. "

Dave Jevans
@davejevans
CipherTrace filed their second patent application on Monero tracing techniques.  Nobody can deterministically trace Monero transactions yet.  But this lays the groundwork for meaningful results particularly for tracing large scale thefts & crime