Carter Feldman argues in his opinion piece that while the world has become increasingly reliant on financial surveillance, privacy coins offer a possible solution. He contends that historical trends show private transactions were the norm until recently, and that modern forms of money have built an infrastructure for unprecedented financial oversight. He draws attention to the rise of electronic banking and identity verification which have dramatically changed how we interact with our finances, leading to greater scrutiny than ever before. This shift in monetary control has given governments new tools for surveillance, exemplified by freezing bank accounts of protesters or non-governmental organizations supporting activists. Feldman argues that these restrictions on individuals’ basic financial freedoms are morally questionable and highlight the need for alternative payment methods. He advocates for privacy coins as a viable solution – enabling direct, permissionless transactions without intrusive identity checks, similar to how cash has been used historically. He emphasizes that while cryptocurrencies have a purpose beyond illicit finance – they provide essential freedoms in increasingly controlled digital environments. This is akin to how cash enables lawful, private purchases and can be the only safe way for individuals to trade value in countries with authoritarian regimes or unstable banking systems. Feldman concludes by challenging the assumption of surveillance being normal, urging readers to recognize that privacy-preserving digital assets are not a threat, but rather a return to established financial norms.