[stcredzero]

Since the legwork was done on a local level, yes, it could scale at first. You'd just need a Federal level agency to forward information to the right locals. You don't have to nab all the perps, you just have to nab enough of them to change the expected cost-benefit equation.

Also, adding levels of indirection only increases enforcement work linearly.

What you'd end up with are just a few organizations with the resources and expertise to outcompete other operators in terms of opsec and secure fulfillment, while wannabes and new operators serve as fodder for enforcement. Somewhat like today's situation.

Also, since enforcement depends on local enforcement, local corruption will increase.

[melville_X]

Great point. They federal level infrastructure is pretty far from having that capability at the moment. As long as systems like one linked in the article are coming, the only natural response by the state is to establish an large-scale NSA-style hacking and network forensic agency working domestically.

There is no way they'll let digital black markets exist without creating a super-expensive heavy handed machine to attempt to stop it. Whether it is practical or not.