Bill Gates attacks bitcoin Microsoft founder Bill Gates said that cryptocurrencies kill people "in a pretty direct way".

The American billionaire, who has turned his attention to philanthropic work in recent years, made this catchy statement with reference to how digital currencies, such as bitcoin, are used to buy potentially dangerous drugs, such as synthetic opioid fentanyl .

In a "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit, Bill Gates was asked about the impact of cryptocurrencies.

"The main feature of cryptocurrencies is their anonymity - I do not think that's a good thing," he said. "The government's ability to find money laundering, tax evasion and terrorist financing is a good thing."

"Now, cryptocurrencies are used to buy fentanyl and other drugs, so it's a bleeding technology that caused death in a pretty direct way, I think the speculative wave around ICOs (initial coin offerings) and cryptocurrency is very risky. "

Warren Gates' long-time friend, Warren Buffett, had previously stated that the obsession with cryptocurrency was going to be "badly finished" at one time or another. On the other hand, Bill Gates had suggested in 2014 that bitcoin "is better than money".

In addition, his comments on the Reddit session have been criticized by some people who accuse the billionaire of trying to influence the market.