The Ethereum Foundation has confirmed its support for the legal defense of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, by matching every dollar donated by the public.
Support from the Ethereum Foundation
Vitalik Buterin announced on his official X account that the Ethereum Foundation is actively involved in fundraising for Roman Storm's defense against charges in the United States. The Foundation will match each dollar donated to ensure Storm has access to quality legal representation.
Discussions in the Crypto Community
Storm's case has sparked intense discussions within the crypto community. Many developers and blockchain enthusiasts argue that charging open-source developers could negatively impact the future of decentralized finance and scare off innovation. There are concerns that this could restrict the creation of tools that protect financial privacy.
Implications for Decentralized Tools
The U.S. Treasury's sanctions against Tornado Cash in 2022 were officially reversed in March 2025. This decision has given renewed momentum to efforts in Storm's defense. The crypto community continues to express concern about the broader implications of the case, believing that criminalizing the development of decentralized solutions could set a dangerous precedent.
The Ethereum Foundation's involvement in supporting Roman Storm's defense provides significant financial backing, which could help challenge the charges and defend open-source innovation within the blockchain space.
