Ethereum Foundation Backs Tornado Cash Developer with $500K Legal Defense Pledge

The Ethereum Foundation has pledged a significant $500,000 to support the legal defense of Roman Storm, a co-founder and developer of Tornado Cash. Storm faces charges related to money laundering and violating US sanctions, with his trial scheduled for July. This contribution underscores a broader crypto community effort to defend developers and the principle of open-source code.

Ethereum Foundation's Stance

The Ethereum Foundation announced its $500,000 donation to Roman Storm's legal defense, emphasizing the belief that "privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime." This statement highlights the foundation's commitment to protecting developers who create open-source tools, even if those tools can be misused. The foundation also plans to match an additional $750,000 in public contributions, demonstrating a strong collective effort to support Storm.

Legal Challenges Faced by Tornado Cash Developers

Roman Storm is set to face trial in New York on July 14, facing charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to violate US sanctions, and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. If convicted, he could face a substantial prison sentence. Storm has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

• Key Takeaways:Roman Storm's trial is scheduled for July 14, 2025.He faces charges of money laundering, sanctions violations, and operating an unlicensed money transmitter.The Ethereum Foundation's donation is part of a larger community effort to fund his defense.

Broader Community Support and Precedent

Storm's case is not isolated. Another Tornado Cash developer, Alexey Pertsev, was arrested in the Netherlands in 2022 and subsequently sentenced to 64 months for facilitating money laundering. The Ethereum Foundation also contributed $1.25 million to Pertsev's defense, citing similar principles regarding privacy and the right to code. Advocacy groups like Coin Center and the DeFi Education Fund have filed amicus briefs in both cases, arguing that immutable smart contract code is a neutral tool and that holding developers liable could stifle open-source innovation. These cases are seen as critical tests for the future of decentralized finance and open-source development.

Sources

• News Explorer — Ethereum Foundation Pledges $500K to Tornado Cash Developer Defense, Decrypt.

• Ethereum Foundation Backs Roman Storm With $500K Ahead of Trial – News Bytes Bitcoin News, Bitcoin.com News.

• Ethereum Foundation pledges $1M to Storm’s defense, entities boost Pertsev appeal, CryptoSlate.

• Ethereum Foundation Donates $500,000 To Tornado Cash Co-Founder’s Legal Defense, Bitcoinist.com.

• Ethereum Foundation Pledges $500K To Roman Storm’s Defense, Cointelegraph.