Developer Behind Tornado Cash Freed on Appeal

Alexey Pertsev, a software developer and key figure behind the crypto mixing protocol Tornado Cash, has been conditionally released from a Dutch prison as he appeals his five-year sentence. The Dutch court's decision to suspend Pertsev's pretrial detention comes after he initiated an appeal against his conviction for laundering over $2 billion worth of funds.

Pertsev, who was arrested in August 2022, is one of the developers of Tornado Cash, a popular coin mixing service that was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022. The developer expressed his gratitude to those who supported him and made his release possible, stating that this development will give him the chance to work on his appeal and fight for justice.

In a post on the social media platform X, Pertsev announced his release, set for Friday, February 7, at 10 am. However, he clarified that his release is not a form of real freedom, as he will have to wear an electronic monitor as a condition for his release. Pertsev's conditional release will allow him to challenge his conviction without the constraints of confinement, as he awaits the outcome of his appeal.