I always been kinda interested and even fascinated by decentralized currency, thought that it was a cool idea, and then seen how it was absolutely mauled by scams, money laundering and predatory practices in general to the point when even thinking about it was gross. And I kinda forgot about it for a while.
But recently there appeared a need for me to actually use cryptocurrency (I want to pay for vds where I host my proxy, without linking my credit card), so I started researching what exist now on the market of wallets, and was rather disappointed: most surface level projects are in-browser always online with “super slick ultra cool design” bullshit with the focus on trading. So, I thought about asking more experienced people (that are not some random cryptobros). Here are my requirements:
- must store all the sensetive data localy on a device as much as possible
- must be open-source
- must have desktop app as main (if it has a complimentary mobile app that’s fine, but the central point of operation must be desktop app)
- ideally supports all main stable-coins
- ideally doesn’t have pretentious trading crap, nft shit etc.
- ideally have a non-bullshit, straight to the point interface (along the lines of monero wallet I guess)
Also, I think I need to mention that I’m somewhat techsavy, but I’m not super experienced with cryptocurrency, so I’m open to learning things about it. Maybe some of my points are impossible due to how technology works, but I hope I got the “vector” of my wishes across.
P.S. Sorry for such a long post and thank you if you set aside the time to read it and respond.
bitcoin-qt? but what are you trying to do? what are you trying to hide from? in other words, what is your threat model?
crypto is sketchy. stablecoins are two notches sketchier, and probably less private. just because you’ll pay in crypto doesn’t mean you won’t be linked to that transaction, AND your provider needs to accept whatever crypto you choose. at minimum you have to get crypto in question in some way. there are many other non-crypto options
are you trying to set up vps for all your pirating needs? you can pick a country that doesn’t give a fuck about it, and if all else fails, go there and pay in cash. this will leave less traces. are you trying to spin up a botnet or brand new terrorist organization? you are probably fucked no matter what you do
From the goverment (not US one). I need proxy for basically accessing many normal sites (like spotify, or twitter for example) that are banned in my country.
Well, I’ve heard some info about crypto not being completely anonymous, but I think it would be much harder to trace, than a credit card that has my name and adress on it.
I’m honestly open to discover those.
My VPS is now in netherlands. No way in hell I can travel there in reasonable amount of time and money. And I’m pretty sure no VPS providers that are accessible to me allow to pay in cash.
I hear what you are saying, but cryptocurrency route is for now, for me the most optimal way to atleast somewhat up my security. Again, if you have any methods to pay online anonymously (and that works not just in the US) I’m all ears.
is tor (maybe with bridge) an option?
Tor nodes are getting agressivly blocked, it either connects so long it errors out, or don’t connect at all. Don’t know what bridge is, but I’ll look into it.
https://tb-manual.torproject.org/bridges/
Thanks, I’ll try it
Some services will take gift cards. You find out the amount you need to pay, and convert it to your currency, buy a gift card in cash for the amount, then send the code from the gift card to the service.
You have to trust that they won’t just run off with the funds, but the whole point is to pick a service that you trust in the first place.