Tornado Cash Developers Raise Over $430,000 for Legal Services
Date: 2024-01-24 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: BLOCKCHAIN
Developers Rally Support
In a remarkable show of community solidarity, Tornado Cash developers, Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm, have managed to gather a substantial sum of over $430,000 in just two days. The funds will be used to cover their legal expenses, as reported by Justice DAO's website. Roman Storm announced the launch of the campaign on January 22, 2024, and stated, "2024 is a year that will determine my entire future. Honestly, I am scared. But I also hope that the community will not remain indifferent. Please contribute to my legal defense."
Justice DAO's Mission
The fundraising campaign, conducted in collaboration with the non-profit group Free Pertsev&Storm, has introduced the Justice DAO project. The Justice DAO website emphasizes the significance of defending developers working with open-source code. They assert, "The arrest of Storm and Pertsev is a direct attack on the open-source development space. These events could have devastating consequences for all developers who write and release code into the public domain. That's why action is needed now."
Multiple Donation Channels
Contributions can be made through three platforms: Juicebox, WeWantJusticeDAO, and GoFundMe. Donations are accepted in cryptocurrencies as well. At the time of writing, Juicebox has received $402,785, while GoFundMe has gathered $24,675. WeWantJusticeDAO has not disclosed the progress of its fundraising efforts.
Legal Costs and End Date
According to Free Pertsev&Storm, the legal services for the developers will cost between $90,000 and $100,000 per month. The fundraising campaign will continue until February 22, 2024.
Edward Snowden's Support
Notably, former CIA and NSA agent Edward Snowden has endorsed the initiative. Since 2013, Snowden has been residing in Russia to evade U.S. authorities. In a tweet, he urged support, saying, "If you can help, please help. Privacy is not a crime."
Tornado Cash's Troubles
The troubles for Tornado Cash began when the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the mixer in August 2022. Shortly after, Alexey Pertsev was detained in Amsterdam and was placed under house arrest only in April 2023. Later, Storm and Roman Semenov, another developer associated with the mixer, faced charges related to money laundering amounting to $1 billion.
