Vitalik Buterin Supports Imprisoned Tornado Cash Developer with Generous Donation

IconCryptoNewsTerminal Staff30 May, 2024

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Vitalik Buterin Supports Imprisoned Tornado Cash Developer with Generous Donation

Vitalik Buterin, the renowned co-founder of Ethereum, has extended his unwavering support to Alexey Pertsev, a Tornado Cash developer currently facing imprisonment. Buterin donated a substantial 30 ETH (approximately $110,000) to a Juicebox fund established to provide legal assistance to Pertsev. This generous contribution adds to the fund's total, which has now surpassed 591 ETH (roughly $2.2 million). Buterin's donation is a testament to his belief in the importance of supporting developers like Pertsev, who create tools that enhance privacy and financial freedom. Pertsev was arrested under accusations of facilitating money laundering through Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer. His subsequent 64-month prison sentence sparked widespread condemnation within the crypto community, with Buterin himself denouncing it as a "travesty." The outpouring of support for Pertsev highlights the growing concern over the criminalization of privacy-enhancing technologies. Buterin's donation serves as a powerful statement, underscoring the need to protect developers who contribute to financial innovation and individual liberties.

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