Bitcoin Q&A: Could Governments Take Over Exchanges?

What prevents governments from taking control of exchanges, just as they have seized gold in the past? They can take over centralised exchanges, but a significant number of people do not store their bitcoins on exchanges long-term (your keys, your money), so that would not enable them to control the network. They may come after people who they can see have bought bitcoin from exchanges, but that will just drive the entire economy underground. Rather than simply buying bitcoin with your bank account, you will have to barter or offer services and be paid in bitcoin. Anywhere that bitcoin is banned, the spread will increase. Premium prices and smuggling. Until the levels are equalized, the more it will continue to flow into a giant underground market. Foreign currency controls. Russian history. Bribery and corruption. Venezuela and India examples of Gresham's law. DEA agents stealing bitcoin from the Silk Road, Ross Ulbricht case. Making a mockery of the law. If breaking the law is the difference between feeding your kids or watching them starve, no one gives a damn about the law and nothing will stop them. Let them go after the exchanges, because they're going to create exactly the premium that's going to drive an enormous black market. "Black market" is just another word for 'unofficial' market.