Ethereum Foundation Doubles Community Donations for Roman Storms Defense

The Ethereum Foundation has announced that it will match community donations for Roman Storm’s defense fund. Storm is currently facing U.S. money laundering and sanctions charges related to Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixing service that has been under scrutiny since 2022. The charges stem from allegations of illicit transfers involving Tornado Cash, which drew U.S. sanctions in 2022 over alleged North Korean laundering of Axie Infinity hack proceeds.

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, made the announcement, highlighting the network’s commitment to open code and user privacy. The community’s support for Storm’s defense fund underscores the broader implications of the case, which many developers view as a test of free software development in finance.

Storm’s legal team has warned that there are only 19 days left to raise sufficient funds for his defense. With the Ethereum Foundation doubling community contributions, the campaign aims to secure high-caliber legal counsel as the case moves toward trial. This effort is seen as a defense of the right to build private financial tools, a principle that is central to the ethos of the Ethereum community.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury lifted Tornado Cash sanctions in March 2025, offering renewed hope for decentralized finance (DeFi) projects and suggesting a shift in regulatory approach. This development provides a backdrop of changing policy against which Storm’s case is now playing out. The lifting of sanctions on Tornado Cash has been seen as a positive sign for the DeFi community, indicating a potential softening of regulatory stances.

The community’s rallying around Storm’s defense highlights the broader implications of the case. Many developers and supporters view these charges as an attack on the principles of open-source software and user privacy. The Ethereum Foundation’s decision to match community donations is a significant show of support, demonstrating the network’s commitment to these principles.

As the case progresses, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the DeFi community and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. The lifting of sanctions on Tornado Cash and the community’s support for Storm’s defense suggest a growing recognition of the importance of privacy and open-source development in the financial sector. The Ethereum Foundation’s involvement in Storm’s defense fund underscores the network’s commitment to these principles and its willingness to support developers facing legal challenges.