bitcoin-dev
Reiterating centralized coinjoin (Wasabi & Samourai) deanonymization attacks
Posted on: February 4, 2025 22:22 UTC
The discussion brings to light several important facets of the ongoing dialogue within the Bitcoin development community, especially focusing on the nuances of funding and transparency in public communications.
The central point revolves around the practice of disclosing financial backing for work shared in professional forums, a topic spurred by inquiries into the author's affiliations and motivations. This discourse uncovers a broader debate about the expectations for transparency in contributions to the Bitcoin ecosystem, where the author clarifies their stance on financial disclosures for published work. Highlighted within this conversation are references to the author's previous publications, which have consistently acknowledged sponsorship and financial support when applicable. These publications cover a range of topics pertinent to Bitcoin's development, including transaction protocols and privacy enhancements, as evidenced by provided links to detailed reviews and analyses on Peter Todd's website.
Further, the exchange delves into specifics regarding Wasabi Wallet's coordinator fees in its June 2024 release, pointing out that despite the default setting being 0% fees, operational aspects of coinjoins inherently produce residual sats (satoshis) that benefit the coordinator. This detail is exemplified by transaction data available on LiquiSabi.com, offering empirical evidence to counter claims of nondisclosure about minor financial gains from transaction leftovers. Such minutiae underscore the complexities involved in the implementation of privacy features within Bitcoin transactions, emphasizing the necessity of minimal transaction fees to safeguard against potential sybil attacks—a critical security concern for maintaining the integrity of coinjoin transactions.
This nuanced discussion encapsulates the intersection of ethical considerations, technical details, and the practicalities of funding in the realm of cryptocurrency development. It underscores the significance of balancing transparency with the operational realities of contributing to an open-source financial system, where even negligible amounts of transaction leftovers are scrutinized within the context of broader security models.