Background on zkSNACKs Decision
Wasabi Wallet developer zkSNACKs has announced a significant shift in policy, effectively blocking U.S. citizens and residents from accessing its services. This decision includes barring users with any form of U.S. residency or citizenship from visiting their main website and related service platforms.
Immediate Impact on U.S. Users
Effective immediately, U.S. citizens are restricted from accessing websites such as wasabiwallet.io, api.wasabiwallet.io, and zksnacks.com. This broad restriction encompasses downloading or using the Wasabi Wallet, as well as its associated APIs and RPC interfaces.
Wasabi Wallet Reasons Behind the Move
zkSNACKs cited “recent announcements by U.S. authorities” as the catalyst for their decision. This move aligns zkSNACKs with other crypto platforms like Phoenix Wallet, which also recently announced service cessation for U.S. residents due to regulatory concerns. These developments reflect a growing trend of crypto services reevaluating their operations in light of potential U.S. regulations targeting self-custodial wallets, service providers, and nodes.
Broader Implications and Industry Reactions
The broader crypto community has reacted with mixed feelings to these developments. While some see these moves as necessary adjustments to comply with U.S. laws, others view them as setbacks for privacy and the decentralized ethos of cryptocurrencies. The recent federal charges against the founders of Samourai Wallet have only added to the urgency and controversy surrounding these issues.
Conclusion
zkSNACKs joins a growing list of companies adapting to the evolving regulatory landscape in the U.S. As the situation unfolds, the impact on privacy-focused crypto services continues to stir debate and discussion within the community.
