Out in the vast, digital plains of the blockchain, where the air is thick with the scent of innovation and the horizon is dotted with the promise of privacy, a tale of solidarity and support unfolds. Roman Storm, the co-founder of the privacy mixer Tornado Cash, finds himself in a storm of legal troubles, but the Ethereum Foundation, like a beacon of hope, steps in with a generous donation of $500,000 to bolster his defense as he faces the looming trial.
According to the latest news, the Ethereum Foundation has pledged a hefty sum to support Storm’s legal battle. The donation, announced with a firm nod to the principles of privacy and freedom, is a clear message to the world: “Privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime.” The foundation has also promised to match community donations up to $750,000, a gesture that underscores the community’s unwavering support for Storm’s cause.
Storm, who could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted, took to X to express his gratitude. His words, filled with a mix of hope and determination, echo the spirit of those who stand for what they believe in:
I just want to say a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to the amazing Ethereum Foundation for their incredible $500K donation to my legal defense—and for matching up to $750K from the community! 🙌 Your support means the world to me, especially standing up for privacy and the right to…
— Roman Storm 🇺🇸 🌪️ (@rstormsf) June 13, 2025
This latest act of generosity follows a $1 million donation in February to Alexey Pertsev, another Tornado Cash co-founder who was convicted in May 2024 and sentenced to 64 months in prison. Pertsev, now released but still under house arrest, remains a symbol of the ongoing struggle for privacy and freedom in the digital age.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, along with other industry figures like Paradigm CEO Matt Huang, has also contributed to the ‘Free Pertsev & Storm’ legal aid campaign, a testament to the community’s commitment to justice and the right to privacy.
However, the road ahead is not without its challenges. Prosecutors allege that Storm and his co-founders knowingly allowed Tornado Cash to be used by sanctioned entities, including North Korea’s Lazarus Group, to facilitate illicit transactions. Despite the legal team’s efforts to have the charges dismissed, the storm continues to rage on.
Meanwhile, the third Tornado Cash co-founder, Roman Semenov, remains at large, a ghost in the wind, evading the long arm of the law since the initial crackdown. The digital frontier, it seems, is as wild and unpredictable as ever.
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2025-06-16 13:42