Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of the Ethereum blockchain, has doubled down on his help of Twister Money developer Roman Storm, who could possibly be retried on two felony expenses someday this yr.
In a Friday X submit, Buterin warned his followers about privateness from each the general public and governments, including that he had used Twister Money to make transactions in furtherance of this precept. The Ethereum co-founder has supported Storm since earlier than his legal trial, saying that creating software program for others to make use of for privateness was not against the law.
“I’ve personally used Roman’s software program to make transactions — to purchase software program for my very own use, with out my title ending up in company databases, to help charities that shield precious human rights, and different targets,” mentioned Buterin. “Roman has been a principled and steadfast developer of those rules. In contrast to some others, who use these causes as an excuse to make revenue and write software program that has flashy promoting however is damaged below the hood […]”
Storm was indicted in August 2023 for operating an unlicensed cash transmitter enterprise and interesting in a conspiracy to commit cash laundering and a conspiracy to violate sanctions. He was found guilty of the first charge in August, however a jury deadlocked on the opposite two.
Associated: Roman Storm asks DeFi devs: Can you be sure DOJ won’t charge you?
As of Friday, it was unsure whether or not US prosecutors would retry Storm on the 2 felony expenses or when he can be sentenced for operating an unlicensed cash transmitter enterprise. He has repeatedly claimed he was harmless and drew help from many within the crypto trade, who declare “writing code is just not against the law.“
Presidential intervention in Storm’s case?
In November, following the decision in Storm’s legal trial, a gaggle of crypto firms and advocacy teams called on US President Donald Trump to step in and “urge the Division of Justice to dismiss all open expenses” towards the Twister Money developer.
Trump had not publicly commented on Storm’s case as of Friday, nor had he recommended that he deliberate to difficulty a presidential pardon. Polymarket’s occasion contract on potential Trump pardons earlier than 2027 showed a number of crypto trade figures together with former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, however not Storm.
Storm’s legal professionals and prosecutors are scheduled to return to courtroom for a convention to debate the case on Jan. 22.
Journal: When privacy and AML laws conflict: Crypto projects’ impossible choice
Cointelegraph is dedicated to impartial, clear journalism. This information article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Coverage and goals to supply correct and well timed info. Readers are inspired to confirm info independently. Learn our Editorial Coverage https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
