- Vitalik Buterin has donated 100 ETH to support Roman Storm’s legal defense in the Tornado Cash case
- The defense fund has already raised over $800,000 to help fight charges related to Tornado Cash’s role in alleged money laundering
- The trial, starting in December, could shape the future of crypto privacy tools and developers’ rights globally
Vitalik Buterin, the central figure of the entire Ethereum ecosystem, has donated 100 ETH to the defense fund of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, who is facing a complicated legal case in the U.S. over his creation.
It’s an important move, even on a political level. Vitalik Buterin made the donation in a way that clearly showed the source of the funds, thus publicly demonstrating support for the cause.
Vitalik Buterin Helps Roman Storm
A case that has shaken the crypto world, especially among the more “technical” and less “financial” enthusiasts of this space. A similar case, although in the Netherlands, saw the other co-founder of Tornado Cash, Alex Pertsev, fall.
The fund in question has already raised 327 ETH in donations, which at today’s value amounts to nearly $800,000—an important and necessary sum for a defense that will be long, complicated, and costly.
Vitalik Buterin Confirms His Stance
The news was confirmed by Roman Storm through X, where he wrote:
“I can’t describe how much this means to me. Thank you for your long lasting support.”
The trial will begin on December 2, with charges already formulated in August concerning the management of Tornado Cash, a matter that saw the Department of Justice intervene back in April.
Tornado Cash provides privacy tools for those using the Ethereum network and is accused by authorities worldwide of deliberately offering cover for money laundering and moving illicit funds.
Storm has pleaded not guilty and will thus have to defend himself in a New York trial that could be decisive not only for a specific part of the crypto world but also for the level of freedom for developers and enthusiasts around the globe.
Support seems to be not only solid but also substantial: the fund has already raised nearly $800,000, which will certainly be useful in offering Storm a well-rounded defense against accusations that could cost him several years in prison.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vitalik Buterin’s donation to Roman Storm’s defense fund represents a strong signal of support from the crypto community. The Tornado Cash case will have a significant impact not only on the future of privacy tools like this but also on the level of freedom for developers and enthusiasts worldwide.
The legal battle promises to be complex and pivotal for the entire crypto ecosystem.
