U.S. Citizens Blocked from Accessing Wasabi Wallet Services by Developer zkSNACKs

Wasabi Wallet developer zkSNACKs has made a bold move by blocking U.S. citizens from accessing its services, including the popular Wasabi Wallet. The ban, which took effect immediately, prohibits U.S. citizens and residents, including those with permanent residency or a U.S. passport, from visiting the developer’s websites and using its services.

The decision by zkSNACKs comes in response to “recent announcements by U.S. authorities,” according to a post on the Wasabi Wallet website. This move aligns zkSNACKs with other crypto platforms like Phoenix Wallet, which recently announced it would cease operations for U.S. residents due to concerns raised by U.S. government statements regarding potential regulation of self-custodial wallets and Lightning service providers.

The crackdown on crypto wallets and mixers by U.S. authorities was further highlighted by the recent indictment of the founders of Samourai Wallet, who were accused of involvement in illegal transactions totaling over $2 billion. This has sparked controversy within the crypto community, with some advocating for privacy rights in the context of Bitcoin’s principles.

As the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how other platforms will respond to increased scrutiny from U.S. regulators. In the meantime, U.S. citizens looking to use services like Wasabi Wallet may need to explore alternative options or wait for potential changes in the future.