Why Vitalik Buterin Just Threw His Weight Behind a Convicted Tornado Cash Developer
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin continues to publicly help Roman Storm, the lead developer of Tornado Cash.
His newest present of help comes forward of Storm’s sentencing for working an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise.
Vitalik Buterin Backs Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Amid Conviction and Privacy Debate
Buterin’s endorsement frames privateness instruments not as felony devices, however as important safeguards towards trendy digital surveillance. The Ethereum government urges the crypto group to advocate for builders dealing with authorized dangers.
“Done. Re-posting the contents for public consumption,” he stated, attaching a private letter supporting Roman Storm.
Storm, convicted in August 2025 of conspiracy to function an unlicensed cash transmitting enterprise, faces as much as 5 years in jail and fines of $250,000 or twice the worth of the illicit funds.
A jury deadlocked on cash laundering and sanctions-related prices, leading to Storm’s partial acquittal, and Judge Katherine Polk Failla cited his compliance and low flight threat in denying pre-sentencing detention.
Tornado Cash, co-founded by Storm together with Alexey Pertsev and Roman Semenov, makes use of zero-knowledge proofs to separate blockchain senders from recipients. The platform was sanctioned by the US Treasury in August 2022, which alleged it facilitated laundering by felony organizations, together with North Korean hackers.
The case highlights broader questions on developer liability for decentralized software, particularly when such instruments have reliable privateness functions.
In his public letter, Buterin emphasised that privateness instruments are essential for shielding people from pervasive on-line surveillance and the commodification of non-public knowledge. He cited private use of Tornado Cash for anonymous software purchases and donations to human rights organizations, framing the expertise as a mandatory safeguard fairly than a felony software.
“In the twenty first century, we’re all confronted with dangers from all corners of the world… Being in a position to decide on with whom we share info… is a vital safety,” learn an excerpt within the letter.
The crypto government additionally criticized authorities databases and personal companies for routinely exposing delicate info, generally to international adversaries.
Storm Calls for Community Support as Industry and Regulators Eye Privacy Tool Liability
Storm responded to Buterin’s help by thanking him and calling on the crypto group to put in writing letters advocating for the proper to construct and use open-source privateness software program.
Industry backing has additionally emerged. The Ethereum Foundation and Keyring Network launched a joint initiative to direct protocol fees from Keyring’s zkVerified DeFi vaults for 2 months to Storm and Pertsev’s authorized protection fund, supplemented by a further $500,000 from the Ethereum Foundation.
The effort highlights rising issues over the potential chilling impact of prosecuting builders for code use.
Meanwhile, regulatory indicators counsel doable evolution. Matthew Galeotti, Acting Head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, lately indicated that truly decentralized software may reduce developer liability, although these remarks are non-binding.
The feedback have raised cautious optimism within the crypto group, however Storm’s upcoming sentencing will likely be a bellwether for privacy-preserving expertise underneath US legislation.
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