Vitalik Buterin Supports Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm, Raises Over $6.39M for Legal Defense
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
- Legal Support Action: Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin publicly supports Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, who faces up to five years in prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, highlighting the importance of privacy tools as protections against digital surveillance.
- Fundraising Achievement: Storm's legal defense fund raised over $6.39 million in 2025, with the Ethereum Foundation pledging $500,000, reflecting strong community support and concern for developers of privacy-preserving technologies.
- Industry Legal Risks: The case underscores the growing legal risks faced by developers of privacy-preserving blockchain technologies, especially following the 64-month sentence of Storm's co-founder Alexey Pertsev in 2024, which has intensified industry divisions on this issue.
- Policy Statement Impact: Although Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti stated that writing code without criminal intent is not a crime, this non-binding remark has not alleviated concerns regarding developers' legal liabilities, potentially impacting the pace of future technological innovation.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
