From Nasdaq:

The developers of Tornado Cash, a privacy-focused crypto mixing service, have raised over $350,000 for their legal defense after being targeted by U.S. authorities. This comes after co-developer Alexey Pertsev was arrested in August 2022, accused of laundering money using the mixer to hide crypto transactions. Another developer, Roman Storm, has made a plea for support, with Edward Snowden also backing the cause.

The U.S. government has alleged that over $1 billion has been laundered through Tornado Cash, including money stolen by North Korean hackers. Despite this, the developers are fighting back, arguing that privacy should not be considered a crime. The community has shown its support for the creators, challenging the government’s attempts to persecute innocent coders in the name of national security.

The case raises larger questions about privacy, government overreach, and the ability to control open-source protocols. It also questions whether creators of software should be held responsible for its usage. Prominent figures in the crypto community have rallied behind the developers, emphasizing that this is a fundamental battle for the freedom to write software and keep data private. The support has been strong, highlighting the significance of this case beyond just the crypto world.



Read more: Why Tornado Cash Remains the Most Pivotal Legal Case in Crypto