In this episode of Coin Stories, Natalie Brunell sits down with Keonne Rodriguez, CEO of Samourai Wallet, for a wide-ranging — and tough — conversation ahead of Keonne beginning a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate a money transmitting business while knowing the business transmitted criminal proceeds.

Natalie asks Keonne on the government's case, including prosecutors' claims that Samourai's coin-mixing tools amounted to "money laundering," and allegations that he encouraged criminals to use the platform. Keonne responds with his philosophical and practical defense of financial privacy, the distinction between self-custody and the traditional banking system, and what's at stake if privacy tools are effectively outlawed. We discuss:

Why financial privacy is a human right — and where the line is drawn
Bitcoin self-custody vs surveillance finance
What coin mixing is, and why prosecutors call it "money laundering"
The allegations that Samourai facilitated or encouraged illicit activity
What the loss of privacy means for freedom in a digital world
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/stand-up-for-freedom-pardon-the-innocent-coders-jailed-for-building-privacy-tools

----

Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU

——

Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie

----

Coin Stories is powered by Bitwise. Bitwise has over $10B in client assets, 32 investment products, and a team of 100+ employees across the U.S. and Europe, all solely focused on Bitcoin and digital assets since 2017. Learn more at https://www.bitwiseinvestments.com

----

Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie

----

Natalie's Bitcoin Product and Event Links:

For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories
Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world
Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie
Genius Group (NYSE: $GNS) is building a 10,000 BTC treasury and educating the world through the Genius Academy. Check out *free* courses from Saifedean Ammous and myself at https://www.geniusgroup.ai
Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie
Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=
Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie
Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie

----

This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice.

----

VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS

Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/
Cash App $CoinStories

#money #Bitcoin #investing

Samourai Wallet CEO Keonne Rodriguez: Guilty Plea, Prison Ahead, and the Fight for Privacy in Bitcoin

Natalie Brunell's Coin Stories

Samourai Wallet CEO Keonne Rodriguez: Guilty Plea, Prison Ahead, and the Fight for Privacy in Bitcoin