[musicnart]

I remember that, too. There was the suggestion that anyone acquiring it was probably engaged in illegal activities.

It feels like warp speed is about to hit crypto insofar as acceptance and implementation of it as a means of exchange.

I understand the reluctance to acquire crypto if it is only accessible digitally. But, if the net goes down, nothing processed online will be useable to purchase anything, etc. I guess merchants could accept checks if they know their customer and trusted their bank.

Then, I guess it would be time to barter. Gold and silver coins/bars, depending on how many, are potentially heavy stuff to carry around. And the hems on most of our garments are pretty thin these days.

Not saying it isn’t possible. There are plenty of ways to carry coins. I’m just thinking of how heavy a couple dollars of coins can be. Way back I would occasionally have a roll of nickels in my purse, to help feed the parking meter. Or if I needed to use a phone booth.

Now, between a few coins and my cell phone, my purse is still heavy. I rarely use the coins anymore.

At least a cc and any bills don’t load things down.

The more I think about this, though, the worse it gets. Just the idea of being able to SAFELY conduct a mutually beneficial buy/sell/trade. If the net goes down, just wow.

[rodguy911]

Adnd the ID fraud goes on and on and on:

https://search.brave.com/search?q=ICE+OPEATATIONS+AT+KINGS+COUNTY+IDENITY+THEFT&source=desktop&summary=1&conversation=3a5533feb9d9d12fb4368d

Here's an AI summary:

ICE Identity Theft Operation

On June 25, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a major operation at Buckeye Fire Equipment Company in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, arresting at least 16 individuals amid allegations of identity theft and employment of undocumented immigrants using fraudulent Social Security numbers.

ICE, along with multiple federal and local agencies, executed a federal criminal search warrant as part of an investigation into rampant identity theft and other potential federal violations.

Key details of the operation include:

Buckeye Fire Equipment Company:

Located on Kings Road, the business is accused of using stolen identities and fraudulent documents to hire undocumented workers.

ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams stated that the company engaged in widespread identity theft to employ individuals without proper work authorization.

ICE and Partner Agencies:

The operation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement Removal Operations, the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, and the North Carolina National Guard, among others.

The Kings Mountain Police Department assisted in executing the warrant but clarified that their role was limited to addressing any potential state-level charges.

Ongoing Investigation:

As of the evening of June 25, ICE agents were still processing individuals inside the facility. No specific number of arrests was disclosed, and the search warrant details were not immediately released. ICE declined to comment on whether similar operations were planned in the near future.

This operation aligns with a broader national trend of increased ICE enforcement under current immigration policies, with a focus on identity theft and unauthorized employment.

AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.

[thinden]

The more I think about this, though, the worse it gets. Just the idea of being able to SAFELY conduct a mutually beneficial buy/sell/trade. If the net goes down, just wow.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

aren’t stable coins digital? block chain?

so, what happens to stable coins if the net goes down, or your on line account gets hacked?

[Bob Ireland]

***Then, I guess it would be time to barter. Gold and silver coins/bars, depending on how many, are potentially heavy stuff to carry around***

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