At 6:22 PM -0700 4/24/03, Patrick Chkoreff wrote:
But that is simply not how it works. Citibank issues coin X to Alice. Alice immediately swaps X with the server and obtains a new coin Y. Alice gives coin Y to Bob in return for kinky porn. Bob immediately swaps Y with the server and obtains a new coin Z. Bob gives coin Z to Citibank. Citibank immediately swaps coin Z with the server and obtains a new coin A. I do not see "linkage" here. Citibank never sees X again.
The server is in a position to keep track of the money transfer by recording the serial numbers of the old and new coins as the exchanges take place. The server is perfectly capable of making the linkage. If you don't trust the server, then you must believe that all your transfers are know. The advantage of the various blinding schemes is that your trust is in mathematics and probability, not in the integrity of the server operators. Cheers - Bill ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | Due process for all | Periwinkle -- Consulting (408)356-8506 | used to be the | 16345 Englewood Ave. frantz@pwpconsult.com | American way. | Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA