Monero (XMR) is a digital money that tries to keep your transactions secret. Many people and companies have tried to track Monero, but it is much harder than with Bitcoin. This guide explains, in simple words, how Monero protects your privacy and what others have tried to break it.
How Monero Hides Transactions
- Ring Signatures: Your transaction is mixed with others, so it is hard to know who sent it.
- Stealth Addresses: Every payment uses a new address, so it cannot be linked to you.
- RingCT: The amount you send is hidden.
- Dandelion++: Hides where your transaction started on the network.
Who Tried to Track Monero?
1. Chainalysis
- Tried to make tools to track Monero.
- Used patterns and info from exchanges.
- Only had limited success. They can sometimes guess, but not be sure.
2. CipherTrace
- Claimed to have tools to track Monero.
- Looked for patterns and watched the network.
- No proof their tools really work.
3. Academic Researchers
- Found some old problems in Monero.
- Used statistics to guess which transactions were real.
- These problems were fixed in new versions.
4. Analysis Companies
- Tried to link Monero to known exchange accounts.
- Used exchange data and network info.
- Sometimes works if users are not careful.
5. Government Efforts (IRS)
- Offered money to anyone who could break Monero’s privacy.
- Worked with companies and watched the network.
- No public proof anyone succeeded.
6. Monero Community
- Looks for problems before others do.
- Regular updates and research.
- Monero keeps getting stronger.
Conclusion
Monero is still one of the best coins for privacy. No one has fully broken its privacy. The Monero team keeps making it better.