The family of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher found dead in San Francisco, is using cryptocurrency to fund their legal battle surrounding the circumstances of his death.
Funding the Legal Battle through Cryptocurrency
To raise funds for their ongoing investigation efforts, the Balaji family has embraced crypto donations, including a Solana-based meme coin. Balaji's mother, Poornima Rao, stated that the support has been vital in covering surging legal and investigative costs.
Controversy Surrounding Suchir Balaji's Death
Authorities ruled Balaji's death a suicide, but his parents believe it was staged. They are contesting what they describe as a flawed investigation. Balaji was known for criticizing OpenAI's copyright practices.
Current State of Fundraising and Legal Costs
After the launch of the Justice for Suchir token in December 2024, the family saw a peak fundraising amount of $5,000, but the token's value quickly declined. Donations have stagnated since April 2025, though small contributions continue. Legal costs have been steep, leading the family to file a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco.
The family of Suchir Balaji continues to fight for the truth, utilizing new financial tools like cryptocurrency to cover legal expenses in their pursuit of justice.
