Edward Snowden publicly supports the legal defense fund for Roman Storm, co-founder of the Tornado Cash mixing service.
A legal defense fund for Roman Storm, the developer of Tornado Cash, has received over $350,000 and public support from Edward Snowden.
The developers of Tornado Cash, an open-source mixing service that blends users’ ether with the aim of enhancing transaction privacy and anonymity, are facing charges of money laundering and sanctions violations in the United States.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that over $1 billion in ether has passed through the mixing service.
Storm was arrested by the DOJ and placed under house arrest in the state of Washington. A trial is scheduled for 2024 on charges of money laundering and U.S. sanctions violations. Storm has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Roman Semenov, another Tornado Cash developer, has also been charged but has not been arrested. The third team member, Alex Pertsev, has been in prison in the Netherlands since 2023.
Pending the trial, on January 22nd, Roman Storm posted a video on X seeking support for his legal defense, stating:
“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.”
Edward Snowden retweeted Storm’s post, urging people to contribute to the cause and adding that privacy is not a crime:
