Tornado Cash Developers’ Legal Fund Raises $350,000+
A legal fund supporting the defense of Tornado Cash developers Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev has received over $350,000 in contributions. The fund has gained public support from Edward Snowden, the former NSA whistleblower.
Tornado Cash Legal Defense DAO Campaign
Roman Storm announced his plan to launch a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) campaign to raise funds for legal representation. Storm and co-founder Roman Semenov face money laundering charges by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Storm expressed concerns about the impact on his life: “2024 is the year that will define the rest of my life. Honestly, I’m scared. But also hopeful that this community cares with a passion. Please donate towards my legal defense.”
Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency coin mixing application for anonymous Ethereum transactions, faced accusations of being exploited for money laundering. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control banned Americans from using the service.
The arrests of Storm and Semenov, accused of laundering over $1 billion in criminal proceeds, are seen as an attack on open-source development. The fundraising campaign aims to highlight the potential consequences for those contributing to public projects.
Snowden Supports Tornado Cash Developer’s Legal Defense
Edward Snowden endorsed Roman Storm’s plea for support, stating that privacy is not a crime.
Snowden, known for his advocacy of privacy and cryptocurrencies, criticized the sanctions imposed on Tornado Cash last year. He believes cryptocurrencies should prioritize privacy rather than solely serving as investment instruments.
Hot Take: Support for Tornado Cash Developers
The legal fund supporting Tornado Cash developers Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev has gained significant traction, with over $350,000 in contributions. The campaign has also received public backing from Edward Snowden, highlighting the importance of privacy in the crypto space. Storm’s plan to launch a DAO campaign aims to raise funds for their legal representation amidst money laundering charges. The arrests of Storm and his co-founder Semenov are seen as an assault on open-source development and have sparked concerns about the potential impact on contributors to public projects. Snowden’s endorsement further emphasizes the need to support these developers and their fight for privacy rights.