‘privacy coin’ monero promises to help make dirty money disappear without a trace. It was designed to obscure the sender and receiver, as well as the amount exchanged. It has become an increasingly sought-after tool for criminals such as ransomware gangs. The rise of monero comes as authorities race to crack down on cyber crime in the wake of a series of audacious attacks, notably the Colonial Pipeline hack. Monero has attracted controversy since its inception, thanks to its association with illicit payments and money laundering.”]