Does the study refer to BTC only? Would be interesting to know because there is also Monero and other coins which are more likely to be used by criminals. Ca Chainalysis do anything about those anonymity coins?
They claim the study refers to crypto currencies in general, between 2017-2020 time period. So I believe monero and other coins are included.
Talking about bitcoin specifically the percentage of illegal activity is even lower, reaching to 0,5% compared to the total volume of transactions.
I see, makes sense for Bitcoin as it is relatively easily traceable unless you use shady on and off ramps (exchanges without any KYC at all). The risk is of course to get scammed when you deposit at such exchanges.
In the end any money will be used to commit crimes, no matter what the type of money is. Digital, cash, pseudonymous or anonymous, it doesn't matter.
Even centralized digital money will eventually be used to commit crimes. There are always ways to play the system and criminals will find those ways.
Yes, that is the point. Money is money and will be always used for some criminal activities, doesn't matter if it's fiat, bitcoin or even precious metals like gold, diamonds and so on. Actually any valuable and tradeable good will be used by criminals and it doesn't mean we should ban, fear or look these goods in a bad way too. However, with bitcoin the popular opinion is more strict, because people tend to fear what they don't know or understand.