I, in generally, (absent some exceptions like privacy coins) agree with you.
But the assertion wasn't that crypto is private, it's that the crypto threads evoke anti-privacy viewpoints like the need for KYC. KYC is inherently anti-private, it's a warrantless compelled search by the government of your papers for identity. My perception at least is different attitudes on average on those threads, like people are more accepting that privacy needs to be invaded to prevent criminals.
Your comment implied that you thought of that as an overwhelming sentiment on HN, though. I don't see any reason to think that it is (or isn't) based on the comments.
But the assertion wasn't that crypto is private, it's that the crypto threads evoke anti-privacy viewpoints like the need for KYC. KYC is inherently anti-private, it's a warrantless compelled search by the government of your papers for identity. My perception at least is different attitudes on average on those threads, like people are more accepting that privacy needs to be invaded to prevent criminals.