Quote from: jsmithy123 on October 19, 2012, 01:55 amI am reading with wide eyes the topic started by Mt Gox support, herehttps://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=86224.40In this topic they openly accuse certain customers of money laundering, then retract the accusations. They admit reporting suspicions to Japanese police/authorities - and who knows who else. They argue with customers openly and include details that should remain private. Their AML requirements are in my experience more onerous and hair-trigger than opening a Delaware corporation online. They detail they have just 3 support staff working their trouble tickets. All through this they blame everyone else for everything that goes wrong, saying that this culture of suspicion is the Japanese way of doing business.I got caught up in their web by making a bank transfer deposit to buy BTC (they state their verified identity stuff kicks in at much higher limits). The bothersome thing about it is once you decide to go with them they have your money *and will not refund it* until you jump whatever hurdles they are inclined to throw up for you. In that sense it is a bait and switch operation, advertising simplicity and (below specified amounts) anonymity, but actually you're putting your neck in an identity noose.It is funny that bitcoins are supposed to solve these kinds of hassles but actually the gatekeepers like Mt Gox make it harder to enter or leave the system than dealing with us dollars - in terms of identity protection and anonymity. One can open bank accounts attached to shell companies insulated from your identity by layers of nominee directors, with a few clicks, and move millions globally without issue. But playing with a few dozen bitcoins? omg you're a possible criminal.None of this should come as _any_ surprise to anyone who's been paying attention. The two main choke points in and out of the various online black market sites are obtaining bitcoins in the first place, and later on, cashing-out. There is little doubt in my mind that the U.S. based FinCen (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) has been putting pressure on the Japanese government, who in turn is turning up the heat on exchanges like Mt. Gox. I believe that FinCen is trying to nip Bitcoin in the bud, before it can get any higher a rate of adoption in the underground markets than it already enjoys.