Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm has shared an urgent video seeking help after his recent arrest, rallying support from the crypto community. Based in Chicago, Storm is the second Tornado Cash developer to face legal action. Following in the footsteps of Alex Pertsev, who was arrested a year prior. Both are recognized for their contributions to open-source code and are currently in a legal battle against the respective authorities..
In the video, Storm recounted how his home was raided by heavily armed FBI agents, leading to his arrest in front of his three-year-old daughter, despite his ongoing cooperation with U.S. authorities. He explained that he and his legal team are preparing a robust defense for the trial, not only for his family’s well-being but also to set a crucial precedent regarding open-source development and financial privacy in the digital realm.
2024 is the year that will define the rest of my life.
Honestly, I’m scared. But also hopeful that this community cares with a passion.
Please donate towards my legal defense.https://t.co/dQ7SCBesIm pic.twitter.com/0jeievSUxc— Roman S (@rstormsf) January 22, 2024
Storm emphasized the significance of his case for software developers and the protection of privacy in the digital financial environment. Furthermore, he appealed to the community for financial support through JusticeDAO. An initiative designed to legally back decentralized protocols like Tornado Cash.
Tornado Cash, an Ethereum mixer, has been under global regulatory scrutiny since 2020. Accused of facilitating criminal activities such as money laundering. However, Storm stressed that Tornado Cash developers are not involved in criminal activities and are unjustly targeted.
Industry Leaders Rally to Defend Tornado Cash and Roman Storm
The news of Storm’s arrest garnered strong support from the crypto community. Prominent figures like Ryan Sean Adams, founder of Bankless, announced substantial donations to support the cause. Viktor Bunin, a protocol specialist at Coinbase Cloud, and Jordi Baylina, Polygon zkEVM developer. Also expressed their support, underscoring that this is not just an individual struggle but a battle for the entire industry.
Baylina highlighted the importance of privacy as a fundamental right, aligning with internationally recognized human rights statements. Although financial privacy is often a topic of controversy and government regulation, these events underscore the need to protect fundamental rights in the digital space and the importance of a strong community advocating for innovation and privacy in the blockchain ecosystem.
