"Tornado Cash Founder Freed: Crypto Community Rallies Behind Legal Fight"
1min read After nearly nine months in a Dutch prison, Tornado Cash co-founder Alexey Pertsev has been released, but he remains under house arrest as his appeal is processed. Pertsev was convicted of money laundering last May for running an open-source platform that was misused by criminals, despite having no direct involvement in illegal activity. His temporary release was made possible through donations that covered his legal fees.
Pertsev expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, stating, "Freedom is priceless, but my freedom has cost a lot. My house arrest was only possible because of my lawyers, who were paid thanks to your contributions. My fight isn’t over, and I still need your help to achieve a final victory." His case has sparked strong support from the crypto community, with leading figures such as Vitalik Buterin contributing to his legal fund, and Paradigm pledging $1.25 million to help his co-founder, Roman Storm, with his own legal troubles.
While Pertsev's release is a small victory, the situation remains uncertain. The US initially sanctioned Tornado Cash in 2022, but these restrictions were overturned in November. A US court upheld this decision in January, causing the platform's token, TORN, to spike in value. Despite this legal victory, Tornado Cash continues to face scrutiny, as hackers laundered $50 million in a single month using the platform last year.
Pertsev remains optimistic about his legal battle, stating, "I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me, especially Vitalik Buterin and Stefan George. Your generosity keeps me going. The legal battle is not over, but I’m hopeful 2025 will bring positive news." For now, Pertsev is at home, awaiting the next phase of his trial, while Tornado Cash has gained some relief from sanctions, but the battle for its future—and his freedom—is far from settled.
