Hold on. The idea that a means of exchange can be used to purchase seedy or illegal goods is not the problem the author has with cryptocurrencies. The issue is VERY clearly stated - there's a loosely-regulated industry riddled with companies that are pushing essentially scam investments. The author is concerned that these companies are beginning to fund enough Haskell development that it's worth questioning whether they want to be associated with such an industry.
I think this is totally valid to question. To brush it off entirely as a non-issue, unworthy of even a moment's thought, is extremely peculiar.
Exactly. Nobody is saying "get your cash here!" while profiting off of speculators. Ok, maybe countries do but they also back the currency and foster growth. You get no such protection from crypto communities.
Everything in the OP article is spot on and the gp argument is a strawman.
I think this is totally valid to question. To brush it off entirely as a non-issue, unworthy of even a moment's thought, is extremely peculiar.