The Ethereum Foundation has announced its support for Roman Storm, the developer of Tornado Cash, who faces imprisonment after a partial conviction in federal court.
Support from Ethereum Foundation
The Ethereum Foundation has pledged financial support for Roman Storm’s legal defense, who is facing criminal charges. In an August 7 post on Twitter by the legal aid supporting Storm, it was stated that the foundation would match up to $500,000 in donations for his defense. Subsequently, the foundation's co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang added that the foundation would commit another $500,000, bringing the total to $1 million.
Legal Issues Facing Tornado Cash
Tornado Cash is a decentralized privacy protocol built on Ethereum, which utilizes smart contracts to sever the on-chain connection between sender and recipient, allowing users to conduct private transactions. However, in 2022, U.S. authorities brought forth numerous charges against the project, alleging it facilitated millions in illegal transactions and money laundering. Prosecutors claim that over $7 billion in illegal funds have been laundered through Tornado Cash.
Roman Storm: Trial and Its Outcomes
Recently, Roman Storm was found guilty by a Manhattan jury for operating an unlicensed money transmitter. Despite this, he was acquitted of more severe charges of money laundering and sanctions violations. Notably, the jury did not agree with the prosecution's assertion that simply writing and deploying open-source code constituted criminal conspiracy. Currently, Storm remains out on bond as he prepares for an appeal.
The support from the Ethereum Foundation and the unfavorable outcome for the prosecution highlight the significance of open-source software and privacy in the cryptocurrency space. Roman Storm's case continues to be a focal point for discussions surrounding social and legal advocacy in the crypto community.
