The Ethereum Foundation Supports Developer Alexey Pertsev with $1.25 Million Donation
The Ethereum Foundation has shown its support for Alexey Pertsev, the developer behind Tornado Cash, by contributing $1.25 million toward his legal defense.
Foundation’s Emphasis on Privacy and Developer Rights
On Feb. 26, the Foundation made the donation and highlighted the significance of privacy and the rights of developers. They emphasized that “Privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime.”
Pertsev’s Gratitude for the Contribution
Alexey Pertsev expressed his gratitude for the generous donation, mentioning that the funds would enable him to fully concentrate on preparing his appeal. He took to Twitter to thank the Ethereum Foundation for their support.
Industry Support for Developers
The donation from the Ethereum Foundation has garnered widespread support within the crypto industry. Vitalik Buterin and other prominent figures have underscored the importance of safeguarding developers from legal repercussions for creating open-source code.
Privacy-focused crypto exchange 0x0 echoed this sentiment, stating that developers should not be penalized for their work and that this moment is critical for the future of crypto privacy.
Pertsev’s Legal Battle
Alexey Pertsev’s legal troubles began in 2022 when he faced allegations related to Tornado Cash following US sanctions against the platform. Dutch authorities arrested Pertsev, claiming that he had facilitated money laundering by not preventing illicit transactions. In 2024, a Dutch court found him guilty of involvement in criminal financial activities and sentenced him to five years in prison.
Recently, Pertsev was released from detention temporarily, shedding light on the financial strain of his case and the ongoing efforts to appeal the court’s ruling. He emphasized the high costs associated with his legal defense and expressed gratitude for the support he has received.
Notably, Pertsev’s co-founders are also facing legal challenges in the US. However, a US court decision overturned Treasury sanctions on Tornado Cash, citing that targeting immutable smart contracts exceeded regulatory authority.
