Crypto Advocate Vitalik Buterin Supports Tornado Cash Developers
Ethereum (ETH) co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, recently made a significant contribution to aid in the legal battle of Tornado Cash developers, Alexey Pertsev, and Roman Storm. Buterin transferred 30 ETH worth $113,678 to the “Free Alexey & Roman” legal fund via an Ethereum blockchain explorer on May 30th.
The Story Behind Tornado Cash
Tornado Cash is an Ethereum-based service that enables anonymous cryptocurrency transactions. In 2022, the US imposed sanctions on the platform, citing its use for laundering illicit funds and national security risks.
- The US sanctions Tornado Cash
- Developers face legal repercussions
- International legal battle ensues
Legal Challenges and Support
Pertsev was sentenced to 64 months in a Dutch court for laundering billions in crypto. Storm, along with another developer, faced charges from the US Department of Justice related to money laundering for a North Korean hacking group.
- Pertsev’s legal sentence
- Storm’s involvement in the case
- Legal fund support
Community Response and Fundraising
Storm appealed for donations to support his legal defense earlier this year, emphasizing the implications of his trial on the crypto industry’s future. The community has rallied behind the developers, raising funds on the decentralized platform Juicebox.
- Community solidarity
- Legal defense funding efforts
- Importance of community support
WeWantJusticeDAO and Support Appeal
WeWantJusticeDAO was formed to advocate for the developers and raise funds for their legal battles. The ongoing legal expenses for Roman and Alexey range from $90,000 to $100,000 per month, highlighting the urgent need for support.
- Role of WeWantJusticeDAO
- Support appeal for legal defense
- Financial challenges and requirements
Hot Take: Standing Up for Crypto Developers in Legal Battles
As the crypto community comes together to support Tornado Cash developers facing legal challenges, the role of advocates like Vitalik Buterin becomes crucial in ensuring a fair legal process for innovators in the industry. The solidarity and financial backing provided by the community underscore the shared responsibility of safeguarding the future of digital assets.
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