Edward Snowden Calls for Support for Tornado Cash Developer’s Legal Defense Fund
Former CIA contractor and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has appealed to the public to support the legal defense fund of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash. The open-source non-custodial crypto mixing protocol was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for allegedly helping North Korea-affiliated hacking groups launder stolen cryptocurrencies.
Snowden Emphasizes the Importance of Supporting Storm
Snowden emphasized the significance of supporting Storm and highlighted that “privacy is not a crime.” He urged his followers to stand with Storm amidst the legal challenges he is facing.
Storm Appeals for Contributions to Legal Defense Fund
Roman Storm himself also made an appeal for contributions to his legal defense fund, stating that the outcome of the case will have long-lasting implications. Storm is currently facing multiple federal charges related to Tornado Cash and is scheduled for trial in September 2024.
The Legal Troubles Begin with Arrest and Charges
Roman Storm’s legal troubles started with his arrest in August 2023 on charges of conspiracy to facilitate money laundering and operate an unlicensed money transmitter. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Tornado Cash facilitated the laundering of over $1 billion worth of criminal proceeds.
Co-Founder at Large, Third Developer Arrested
The other co-founder of Tornado Cash, Roman Semenov, is currently evading authorities and believed to be residing in Dubai. Another developer associated with Tornado Cash, Alexey Pertsev, was arrested in the Netherlands following the sanctioning of the privacy tool by U.S. authorities.
Coin Center Challenges Sanctioning of Tornado Cash
Coin Center, a non-profit organization focused on cryptocurrency policy issues, has actively contested the sanctions imposed on Tornado Cash. The organization argues that the restrictions have negatively impacted Americans and their ability to engage in private cryptocurrency transactions.
Legal Action Against OFAC
In October 2022, Coin Center initiated legal action against the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over the Tornado Cash sanctions. However, in October 2023, a U.S. court ruled in favor of OFAC, affirming its authority to include the crypto mixer in its sanctions list.
Hot Take: Upholding Privacy Rights in Crypto
Edward Snowden’s call to support Roman Storm’s legal defense fund highlights the ongoing battle between privacy and regulatory concerns within the crypto space. As governments increase scrutiny and implement sanctions on privacy-enhancing tools like Tornado Cash, it becomes crucial for individuals and organizations to stand up for privacy rights. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly shape the future of crypto mixing protocols and their legality. It serves as a reminder that privacy is a fundamental right that should not be compromised in the pursuit of security.
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