pazza83
commented
2 years ago Hi @daveblack1
Thanks for posting this. I think it is an important discussion to have.
Just wanted to say the lack of engagement with the issue might be due where it has been posted.
I would suggest closing here and reposting to https://github.com/bisq-network/proposals/issues
For more info about proposals see: https://bisq.wiki/Proposals
clearwater-trust
Learning Goal/Objective
The US has passed regulatory requirements that require software developers to report the activity of their users.
This criminalizes Bisq in its current form and nullifies the private, decentralized purpose of Bisq.
Although Bisq is open source, it is being developed on Github, which is owned by Microsoft.
The one priority is to move Bisq to a friendly development repository outside of the US where development will not be considered illegal.
Hypothesis
The US has officially become hostile to a private, decentralized approach to trading cryptocurrency.
Rather than doing the unpopular and resource intensive task of going after violators of this new law, it is hypothesized that they will begin enforcing this using the easiest way possible - going after decentralized software developers like Bisq.
If this occurs, Bisq may face legal repercussions and cease and desist letters from the US Department of Justice if they continue to develop on a US based platform.
Experiment Design
Review alternative version control platforms for continuing development of Bisq:
Move code to new platform. This is 100% achievable. Existing code will be copied to new platform.
Resource Estimation and Probability
Switching to Gogs would be simple as it uses an open source version of Github. It would merely require self-hosting, copying the repo over and updating the URL. All developers in the Bisq project would be required to migrate their code to the new platform. Probability this will succeed is 100%. Switching to a different version control platform is completely achievable.
Results
US passed new regulatory restrictions on Bisq. Bisq maintains code on US controlled businesses and servers.
Learnings
We learned the US government is no longer friendly to private, decentralized cryptocurrency transactions and it would be in Bisq's interest to consider moving development.
Action Items
Review alternative version control platforms to GitHub. Move to new version control platform.