[shakna]

> Haven't looked at the details but cryptocurrency implies it stays on some distributed ladger and no 3rd parties have control over the transactions. Isn't that the case?

Not quite, in the case of Libra. Only a handful of companies control the nodes. Which makes it relatively easy to enforce a ban.

[alacombe]

That's completely false. Today, you don't need to interact with the NYSE to buy stock listed in the NYSE. There is plenty on intermediaries providing the service for a fee.

[shakna]

If the half dozen nodes are required to block payments originating from a nation, then it would require illegal middlemen to accomplish that, and they can continually be shut down.