Why would a criminal want to use Bitcoin? I'm not convinced Silk Road is more than an elaborate troll. Even if it's not a hoax, Bitcoin is irrelevant and in fact less convenient than cash transactions, since they still have to get the drugs to you.
Most criminals are interested in changing dirty USD into legitimate bank balances. If Bitcoin is criminalized, it becomes conspicuous and thus less attractive to money launderers. Cash will always be preferable so long as there is a large legitimate cash economy to camouflage crime.
Most criminals are interested in changing dirty USD into legitimate bank balances. If Bitcoin is criminalized, it becomes conspicuous and thus less attractive to money launderers. Cash will always be preferable so long as there is a large legitimate cash economy to camouflage crime.