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Key Takeaways:

• Tornado Cash uses Zero-Knowledge proofs to break the on-chain link between the sender and receiver of funds.
• The US government sanctioned the protocol in 2022, arguing it was a tool for money laundering by state-sponsored hackers.
• The legal battles surrounding the developers have set a critical precedent regarding whether open-source code is protected speech.

Tornado Cash is arguably the most controversial protocol in the history of cryptocurrency. To privacy advocates, it is a vital tool for human rights, allowing users to transact on Ethereum without exposing their entire financial history to the world.

To government regulators, it is a weapon. In 2022, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the protocol. This marked the first time a piece of code, rather than a person or country, was added to a sanctions list. Even in 2026, the legal shockwaves of this decision are still shaping how developers build privacy tools.

What Is Tornado Cash?

At its core, the protocol is a "coin mixer." On a public blockchain like Ethereum, every transaction is visible. If you pay someone, they can see your wallet balance and your entire transaction history.

Tornado Cash solves this transparency problem. It breaks the link between the source and the destination addresses.

Users deposit cryptocurrency into a shared pool (the "smart contract"). The funds sit there, mixing with funds from thousands of other users. Later, the user withdraws the funds to a brand new, clean wallet.

How Does the Technology Work?

The magic behind the protocol is Zero-Knowledge Proofs (zk-SNARKs). This cryptography allows a user to prove they own funds in the pool without revealing which specific deposit was theirs.

When you deposit, you get a secret "note" (like a password). When you want to withdraw, you provide a cryptographic proof derived from that note.

The smart contract verifies the proof is valid and releases the funds to your new address. Because the contract never sees the link between the deposit and the withdrawal, the on-chain trail is effectively cold.

Why Was It Sanctioned?

The anonymity provided by Tornado Cash attracted legitimate users, but it also attracted criminals. The Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking organization, used the mixer to launder hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from crypto bridges.

OFAC argued that the protocol was a national security threat. By placing it on the SDN list, they made it illegal for any US citizen or entity to interact with the smart contracts. This forced major infrastructure providers like Infura and Circle (USDC) to blacklist the protocol's addresses immediately.

Is Code Free Speech?

The sanctions led to the arrest of the developers behind Tornado Cash, sparking a massive legal battle that continues to define the industry in 2026. The core legal question is simple: Is writing open-source code protected by the First Amendment?

Defenders argue that the developers simply built a tool (like a hammer) and shouldn't be jailed because someone else used it for a crime. Prosecutors argue that the developers profited from the laundering and failed to implement controls. This case has drawn a line in the sand between decentralized privacy and centralized compliance.

Conclusion

The story of Tornado Cash is a tragedy of the dual-use nature of technology. It proved that perfect privacy is possible on a public blockchain, but it also highlighted the severe consequences when that privacy collides with national security.

If you’ve ever wished you could pay your rent, mortgage, or other bills with a credit card—even when those vendors don’t accept cards—Plastiq might be the solution you’ve been looking for. Plastiq is a service that lets individuals and businesses use debit or credit cards to pay vendors who usually don’t accept those payment methods. But is Plastiq legit? How does Plastiq work? And what about Plastiq fees? Let’s dive into everything you need to know before you hit that Plastiq login button.

What Is Plastiq and How Does It Work?

Plastiq acts as a middleman between you and your billers. After you create a free account and complete your Plastiq login, you add your debit or credit card information. Then you add recipients—your landlord, mortgage lender, or any vendor—and enter the payment amount. Plastiq charges your card and pays the vendor via check, ACH, or wire transfer, depending on what they accept.

This means you can pay bills like rent, mortgage, utilities, daycare, or homeowners association fees with your credit card, even if the vendor doesn’t accept cards directly. The recipient doesn’t need a Plastiq account to receive payments. You can make one-time payments or set up automatic recurring payments for convenience.

Is Plastiq Legit?

Yes, Plastiq is a legitimate and secure payment platform trusted by many users. It uses encryption to protect your data and provides payment confirmations along the way. However, it’s important to be aware of the fees and terms before using it extensively.

What About Plastiq Fees?

Plastiq charges a processing fee of about 2.9% for both credit and debit card payments as of October 20231. For example, if you pay $2,000 in rent, you’ll pay an additional $58 in fees. While this fee might seem steep, many users find it worthwhile if they’re earning credit card rewards or meeting a sign-up bonus spending requirement.

Keep in mind that if you use a credit card and don’t pay off your balance in full each month, you’ll also incur interest charges at your card’s ongoing rate, which can be quite high. So, Plastiq is best used strategically—like when you need short-term cash flow relief or want to hit a credit card bonus.

Using Plastiq for Mortgage Payments

One popular use of Plastiq is for mortgage payments, especially when your lender doesn’t accept credit cards. You can pay your mortgage with your credit card via Plastiq, potentially earning rewards or managing cash flow better. Just remember that some cards, like Visa, may restrict mortgage payments, and some issuers might treat Plastiq payments as cash advances, which can be costly.

Tips for Using Plastiq Wisely

• Use Plastiq to meet credit card sign-up bonuses or earn rewards that offset the fees.
• Avoid using Plastiq if you can’t pay off your credit card balance quickly.
• Check your credit card’s terms to see if Plastiq payments are treated as purchases or cash advances.
• Plan ahead for payments sent by check, which can take up to eight days to arrive.

How to Get Started with Plastiq Login

Getting started is easy:

Introduction: Unlocking Bitcoin with Cash App

Imagine holding Bitcoin (BTC) in your hand—or rather, your phone—ready to buy, sell, or send it with a few taps. Whether you’re a beginner in New York curious about crypto or a seasoned trader in London managing your portfolio in GBP, Cash App makes diving into Bitcoin simple for U.S. and UK users. For those in regions like Nigeria, where Cash App isn’t available, alternatives like Binance may beckon, but for Cash App users, enabling BTC is your gateway to the crypto world. Follow these clear steps to set up Bitcoin on iPhone or Android, enable withdrawals, and start your crypto journey with confidence.

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