Argentine blockchain developer known as 'Fede's Intern' was released from Turkish custody after being detained over alleged links to the misuse of Ethereum. He announced his intention to donate a significant amount for the defense of his colleague.
Details of the Detention
Fede's intern was detained in Izmir upon arrival in Turkey where he planned to meet with local entrepreneurs and acquaintances. Turkish authorities cited allegations from the Ministry of Interior about his possible role in facilitating Ethereum misuse.
> 'So we now have more information. The minister of internal affairs of Turkey is saying I helped people misuse [ethereum]. I’m fully open to cooperate with any authorities from Turkey or any country, we didn’t help anybody do anything, but we will also defend ourselves.' > — Fede’s intern
Donation for Legal Defense
After his release, Fede's intern pledged to donate $500,000 for the legal defense of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash. This amount significantly exceeds the initial $50,000 they had planned to offer. He framed this donation as an act of solidarity.
> 'Open source and decentralization are not just philosophical ideals. Success in this space comes from building in the open, onboarding others, and creating movements that grow beyond the original project.'
Community Solidarity
Fede's intern mentioned that he still does not fully understand the circumstances of his detention but is working on assembling a 'top-tier team' to resolve the issue. His donation is intended to reassure developers worldwide that they can continue to push the boundaries of blockchain innovation, knowing that the community will support them in tough times.
> 'Roman’s legal defense matters because builders everywhere need to know they can push innovation forward.'
The situation surrounding Fede's intern's detention and his subsequent donation for Roman Storm's defense highlights the growing solidarity within the Ethereum community amid legal challenges. Blockchain developers can rely on their peers' support even under pressure from authorities.
