The Ethereum Foundation’s Support for Tornado Cash Developer
The Ethereum Foundation recently made a generous donation of $1.25 million to support Alexey Pertsev, a developer behind Tornado Cash, in his legal defense. This move underscores the Foundation’s commitment to privacy and the rights of developers in the crypto space.
In a statement released on February 26th, the Foundation emphasized the importance of privacy and the rights of developers, stating that “Privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime.” This gesture of support has been met with gratitude from Pertsev, who expressed his appreciation for the Foundation’s contribution. He mentioned that the funds would allow him to fully focus on preparing his appeal.
The donation from the Ethereum Foundation has sparked a wave of support within the crypto industry. Key figures such as Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin have highlighted the significance of protecting developers from legal consequences simply for writing open-source code. Privacy-focused crypto exchange 0x0 also echoed this sentiment, stating that “Privacy is a fundamental right, and developers shouldn’t be punished for writing open-source code. This is a crucial moment for the future of crypto privacy.”
Pertsev’s legal battle dates back to 2022 when he faced allegations of facilitating money laundering through Tornado Cash, a platform he co-founded with Roman Semenov and Roman Storm. Dutch authorities arrested Pertsev on these charges, leading to a five-year prison sentence in May 2024 for his involvement in Tornado Cash.
Recently, Pertsev was temporarily released from detention, shedding light on the financial burden of his legal case and the efforts to appeal the ruling. He noted that his freedom came at a high cost, thanks to the support of donors who helped fund his legal defense.
In a positive turn of events, a US court overturned Treasury sanctions on Tornado Cash, ruling that targeting immutable smart contracts exceeded regulatory authority. This development provides hope for Pertsev and his co-founders as they navigate the legal challenges ahead.
The Ethereum Foundation’s support for Alexey Pertsev underscores the importance of protecting developers’ rights and upholding privacy in the crypto space. As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives like this serve as a reminder of the community’s commitment to supporting those who push the boundaries of innovation and technology.