Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has once again shown his support for embattled Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm by donating 100 ETH (approximately $240,000) to his legal defense fund. This marks Buterin’s third contribution to Storm’s cause, highlighting the crypto community’s ongoing support for developers facing legal challenges.
The donation comes at a crucial time for Storm, as United States Judge Katherine Failla recently denied his motion for dismissal, allowing the case against him to proceed. Storm, who maintains his innocence, faces charges related to his involvement with Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2022 for allegedly facilitating money laundering. If convicted on all three charges, Storm could face up to 45 years in prison.
Despite the legal pressure and OFAC sanctions, Tornado Cash has seen a significant increase in usage. In the first half of 2024, deposits into the mixer reached approximately $1.9 billion, representing a 50% increase from the previous year. This surge in activity underscores the ongoing demand for privacy-enhancing tools in the cryptocurrency space, even in the face of regulatory challenges.
The crypto community has rallied around Storm and other Tornado Cash developers, with initiatives like JusticeDAO raising substantial funds for their legal defense. As of the latest update, Storm’s defense fund has received 148 payments totaling over 327 ETH (roughly $785,000). The case continues to be closely watched by the cryptocurrency industry, as its outcome could have far-reaching implications for software developers and the future of privacy-focused blockchain technologies.
