Bitcoin Policy Institute, Fedi, Cornell to study American views on financial privacy

The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), in collaboration with the private digital cash platform Fedi and researchers from Cornell University, has launched a major research initiative focused on American attitudes toward financial privacy. The joint study aims to quantify public perception of existing financial surveillance mechanisms, gauge the level of trust in centralized banking systems, and measure willingness to adopt new, privacy-preserving digital currencies and decentralized protocols. The researchers will conduct nationwide surveys to assess awareness regarding the tracing of digital transactions and the appeal of technologies like Chaumian eCash (FediMints) that prioritize transactional anonymity. Experts from Cornell Tech will be responsible for the methodology and data analysis, ensuring academic rigor. BPI emphasizes that the findings are crucial for informing future policy recommendations regarding consumer data protection and the development of privacy-enhancing technologies. The results of the study are expected to provide a foundational dataset for policymakers navigating the increasing tension between financial transparency requirements (such as KYC/AML) and individual civil liberties in the digital economy.

Source: Bitcoin Policy Institute, Fedi, Cornell to study American views on financial privacy