Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev has become a central figure in key discussions around digital privacy rights, as he was released from prison custody and placed under house arrest while preparing for an appeal.
Pretrial Detention Suspended
On February 6, a Dutch court ruled to suspend Alexey Pertsev’s pretrial detention, initially imposed in August 2022. This followed a prior ruling in November 2024 that extended his imprisonment. Pertsev is now required to wear an electronic monitor during his house arrest.
Sanctions and Legal Challenges
Pertsev’s arrest coincided with the U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions on Tornado Cash in August 2022, alleging the platform facilitated the laundering of over $7 billion in illicit funds, including $455 million linked to the North Korean hacker group Lazarus. However, the legal context shifted; in 2024, a court ruled the sanctions unlawful, and in 2025, the decision was completely overturned.
Reactions and Consequences
Pertsev’s case has become a significant point for privacy advocates, who argue that prosecuting open-source software developers sets a dangerous precedent. Legal experts view the overturning of sanctions as a major victory for privacy-preserving technologies, with broad implications for future digital privacy cases in the US.
The criminal proceedings against Alexey Pertsev continue to play a pivotal role in current debates around the limits of digital privacy and developer liability. The outcome of future legal appeals could have extensive implications for open-source software globally.