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$\begingroup$ There are studies of economic activity in prisons where things like ramen noodles have become a currency (although cigarettes/tobacco are the more famous prison currency). $\endgroup$

Stuart F
– Stuart F

2024-07-09 09:02:06 +00:00
Commented Jul 9, 2024 at 9:02
7

$\begingroup$ When things are digital, it can become even easier. Ransomware often asks for giftcards as payments. Digital cosmetic items like Team Fortress 2 hats become currency instead, with real world examples of laundering money through them. $\endgroup$

aherocalledFrog
– aherocalledFrog

2024-07-09 16:59:05 +00:00
Commented Jul 9, 2024 at 16:59
2

$\begingroup$ The examples with fake appraisals of the mechanic seem much, much stronger than sexual favours and penguins. Anyone can do those middle two, but only a few people can do the sex stuff with only a few other people, only in person and only a relatively small # of times. I can't imagine Silk Road with an option to pay in sex. $\endgroup$

Owen Reynolds
– Owen Reynolds

2024-07-09 22:59:49 +00:00
Commented Jul 9, 2024 at 22:59
3

$\begingroup$ @OwenReynolds - Almost all women can trade sex for resources - which is about half the population. $\endgroup$

TheDemonLord
– TheDemonLord

2024-07-10 00:08:53 +00:00
Commented Jul 10, 2024 at 0:08
11

$\begingroup$ Worth adding that the obscenity called NFT allows prices to be set on the basis of the "artistic value" of the digital item, which is whatever the buyer and seller agree to. A person selling drugs/firearms/stolen property etc can simply "sell" a NFT that they whipped up in MS Paint for obscene sums to cover what is actually being purchased. It would be really suspicious to a govt investigator, but also very difficult to prove. The only downside for the seller is that they will need to pay appropriate taxes on their illegal transactions because that can be tracked easily. $\endgroup$

KerrAvon2055
– KerrAvon2055

2024-07-10 02:31:01 +00:00
Commented Jul 10, 2024 at 2:31

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