Simply put
- Vitalik Buterin emphasized that privacy tools are fundamental human rights and has personally utilized Roman Storm’s software.
- Storm faced partial conviction in 2025 related to the coin mixer Tornado Cash and is currently seeking legal relief.
- This case has turned into a significant test for open-source developers globally.
Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, has shown support for Roman Storm, a developer associated with Tornado Cash, who was convicted of wire transfer violations last August. Buterin argues that privacy protection software is essential and should not be criminalized merely due to potential misuse.
Buterin stated, “I’ve backed Roman Storm’s work from the start because I genuinely believe in the significance of privacy. I actively use privacy tools, including those he developed.” He also shared a supportive letter for Storm.
He continued, reflecting on the dangers present in today’s world: “Whether online or offline, if someone possesses information about you, it’s out there. This can lead to various forms of exploitation. It’s crucial to have the choice over what personal information we share, whether it’s about our lives, conversations, or finances.”
Tornado Cash, known for obscuring transaction pathways, has been included in the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions since 2022, following claims that it was misused by North Korea’s Lazarus Group and other criminals to launder vast sums of stolen cryptocurrencies.
The platform has been involved in laundering proceeds from significant hacks, including the $622 million Ronin Bridge breach and a $100 million theft from Harmony Bridge. In total, over $1.5 billion in illicit crypto is reported to have flowed through Tornado Cash.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has barred U.S. citizens from using this service, with sanctions enacted in March 2025.
Mr. Storm was indicted in 2023 on various charges, including conspiracy to launder money and operate an unauthorized transfer business. While a jury convicted him in August, investigations into additional charges remain ongoing.
Notably, shortly thereafter, Matthew Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s criminal division, indicated that the software developer might not be pursued for the same charges Storm faced.
Storm awaits sentencing and has maintained a not-guilty plea, which prosecutors contest. He potentially faces up to five years in prison.
Another developer from Tornado Cash, Alexey Pertsev, has also faced legal troubles. Arrested in the Netherlands in 2022, he was found guilty of laundering $1.2 billion and sentenced to over five years, but was later released under house arrest during the appeals process.
The Ethereum Foundation has committed $1.25 million to Pertsev’s legal defense.
Buterin pointed out the necessity of privacy for various societal components, asserting it’s essential for culture and politics to operate freely, without undue pressure.
He added, “Many people think it’s fine for the public to lack privacy, but believe that governments and agencies should have access to all information for safety. I strongly disagree with this view.”
Buterin also expressed concern that government databases can be compromised, leading to sensitive information being stolen by adversaries. He noted, “Government agencies often outsource work, and private companies frequently trade data behind the scenes. Cell phone providers have extensive location data and can sell it to various parties, including foreign governments.”
He concluded, “Both Roman and I envision a future where the basic protections of our rights from the past century endure into the next.”
