My reply described how it's easily possible to convert USDT to fiat because I assumed it was obvious that the process is similar in both directions and can be done for any common form of crypto, including Bitcoin.

You give then cash, they give you USDT or BTC. Now you can buy all the ebooks you want with anonymous crypto.

I have over 2x my fiat savings in crypto and none of it could easily be traced to my real identity.

Just last week I walked into a random "crypto exchange service" in the city I was visiting and sold them USDT and walked out with $10k in cash. No kyc. They didn't even ask my name. They were buying and selling for only 0.5% commission.

I've only used it once, but after having a call with the client, I felt comfortable accepting payment directly in crypto and not paying their fees.

I don't want to trust a 3rd party to be able to restore access to accounts after losing my phone. I've lost several Google and Yandex accounts that way. Despite knowing the passwords, they refused to let me log in again after loosing my phone.

In fact, many have the opposite effect and result in more efficient price discovery. Take naked shorting for example. Without shorting, it would be far more difficult for an equity research firm to be incentivized to look into fraudulent stocks, as was widespread with Chinese companies a few years ago. Without their efforts, stock prices would have remained inflated for longer.

Now that most communication takes place online, it seems the obvious solution is to say anything controversial via pseudonyms. As long as you don't get careless about protecting your true identity, that seems like something you can do just about anywhere.

See here for examples of ~100 ms of local latency: https://www.lkhrs.com/blog/2022/07/terminal-latency/

I assumed that wouldn't be necessary if not operating like a business with the intention to turn a profit. If I sold my car for cash, would I have the same responsibility?

If you're morally opposed to that, I'd recommend Singapore for its financial freedoms. After working there for a year, I was initially opposed to such an authoritarian government, but they're one of the rare ones who use their power to run their country very efficiently and keep out of the way of private enterprise.

Businesses have brand reputations. Just let people vote with their wallets. That won't discourage all dark patterns, but is preferable to a world of over-regulation.