https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/09/technology/bitcoin-untraceable-pipeline-ransomware.html
this whole thing is incredible
Bitcoin is also traceable. While the digital currency can be created, moved and stored outside the purview of any government or financial institution, each payment is recorded in a permanent fixed ledger, called the blockchain.
That means all Bitcoin transactions are out in the open. The Bitcoin ledger can be viewed by anyone who is plugged into the blockchain.