Developer of Tornado Cash Seeks Assistance in Recorded Video

Roman Storm, Tornado Cash Developer, Arrested and Calls for Help

Roman Storm, the second developer of Tornado Cash to be arrested, is currently in prison and fighting a legal battle against the authorities. In a video posted on January 22, Storm appealed for assistance from the crypto community.

Storm stated that despite his cooperation with US authorities, he was raided by heavily armed FBI agents and arrested in front of his daughter. He emphasized the importance of his trial not only for his family but also for future software developers and financial privacy.

Roman Storm, Tornado Cash developer

Storm urged for donations through JusticeDAO, a decentralized protocol created to support legal battles related to Tornado Cash.

Tornado Cash and Regulatory Scrutiny

Tornado Cash is an Ethereum mixer designed to enhance privacy in ETH transactions. However, it has faced regulatory scrutiny since 2020 due to allegations of enabling financial crimes such as money laundering. The defense argues that Tornado Cash developers themselves have not engaged in any financial crimes.

Support from Crypto Enthusiasts

Renowned figures in the cryptocurrency industry have expressed their support for Roman Storm, Alex Pertsev (the first arrested developer), and Tornado Cash. Ryan Sean Adams, founder of Bankless, announced a $10,000 donation to their cause. Viktor Bunin from Coinbase Cloud also showed support with a donation. Jordi Baylina, a Polygon zkEVM developer, highlighted that this fight is not just for Storm but for the entire industry.

The Importance of Privacy

Jordi Baylina emphasized privacy as a fundamental value and highlighted that it aligns with internationally recognized human rights. While privacy is recognized as a fundamental right by the United Nations, financial privacy is often undermined by governments through regulations and law enforcement.

Hot Take: Upholding Privacy in Cryptocurrency Development

Roman Storm’s arrest and legal battle highlight the challenges faced by developers working on privacy-focused protocols like Tornado Cash. It sets a precedent for the future of open-source development and emphasizes the need to protect financial privacy rights. The support from renowned crypto enthusiasts demonstrates the solidarity within the industry. Upholding privacy as a fundamental value is crucial not only for individuals but also for the advancement of decentralized technologies. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications, shaping the future of privacy protocols and setting a standard for regulatory scrutiny in the crypto space.