Ethereum Developer Federico Carrone Donates $500,000 to Tornado Cash Co-Founder’s Legal Fund
Ethereum core developer Federico Carrone recently announced his decision to contribute $500,000 to Roman Storm’s legal fund, showing his support amid Storm’s potential retrial in New York. This generous donation comes after Carrone’s own experience with authorities in Turkey, where he was detained for 24 hours due to alleged connections to an Ethereum privacy protocol.
Carrone explained his increased donation from $50,000 to $500,000 in a post on Monday, stating, “[A]fter what happened to me, I need to take a clear position.” He also mentioned that the Ethereum Foundation is matching donations up to an additional $500,000 for Storm’s defense, effectively doubling the impact of their contribution.
Storm, a co-founder of Tornado Cash, faces charges related to money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmitter, and violating US sanctions. Despite raising approximately $5.4 million for his legal defense fund, including support from the Ethereum Foundation and the Golem Foundation, Storm was found guilty of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter in August, leading to the possibility of a retrial for the other charges.
Roman Storm Continues Fundraising Efforts Post-Guilty Verdict
With a $7 million goal set for his legal defense fund, Storm is still actively fundraising to support his ongoing criminal case. While the sentencing hearing for the single felony count has not been scheduled yet, Storm could potentially face up to five years in prison. A federal judge recently approved a postponement of procedural deadlines, indicating a lengthy legal process ahead.
Storm and his supporters maintain that writing code should not be considered a crime, emphasizing the importance of defending his actions through legal means. As the cryptocurrency community rallies behind Storm, the outcome of his legal battle remains uncertain, but the support from individuals like Federico Carrone demonstrates solidarity within the industry.