Comment by tgv
7 days ago
To add to the other comments: do you really have a right to whatever it is that the bits unlocked by that key represent? Who granted you that? AFAICT, it's the systems running the blockchain that grants you that, and it's not governed by any contract outside the blockchain.
What is your theory for why you own any physical possessions? Do you only own things at the pleasure of your government which bestows you that privilege? I would think that if a coup replaced your government by force with one that did not respect rights of private ownership, you would cry "immoral", would you not? Or would you shrug and say "might makes right"?
Basically, you own what you control and can protect from leaving your control, by force, or punishment. The modern state is almost based around ownership and freedom, and takes the responsibility for a lot of that.
It may be immoral (not necessarily a crime, mind you) if someone deceives you, but so is using Bitcoin. You're burning the Amazon, while serving as a cash convertor for criminals. Just for personal gains.