- Vitalik Buterin defends Tornado Cash, emphasizing privacy as a human right.
- Ethereum co-founder supports Roman Storm’s fight for open-source software freedom.
- Ethereum’s design parallels BitTorrent, reinforcing decentralized, permissionless systems for privacy.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has come out in strong support of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, who faces a potential retrial on felony charges this year. In a post shared on X, Buterin emphasized the importance of privacy, both from public scrutiny and government oversight.
He revealed that he had personally used Tornado Cash for several transactions, including supporting charitable causes and safeguarding his own privacy.
Buterin’s endorsement is rooted in his belief that privacy is a fundamental human right. He stated that, unlike some others who exploit privacy issues for profit, Roman Storm has been a principled advocate for privacy-focused tools.
Buterin argued that developing software that enables privacy, such as Tornado Cash, is not a crime. “Roman has been a principled and steadfast developer,” he noted, defending the Tornado Cash project as a valuable tool for protecting individual privacy.
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Storm’s Legal Battle and Buterin’s Continued Support
Roman Storm, who was indicted in 2023, has been accused of operating an unlicensed money transmitter business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and violating sanctions. He was found guilty of the first charge, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining two charges.
While the legal process continues, Buterin’s support has remained unwavering. His message highlights that the fight is not just about one individual’s case but also about the broader principle of freedom for open-source software developers.
Buterin’s public backing is not the first time he has voiced support for Storm. Throughout the trial, Buterin has argued that the development of privacy tools should not be criminalized. His support is aligned with a broader sentiment within the cryptocurrency community, where privacy tools are seen as essential to maintaining individual freedoms.
The Fight for Freedom and Open-Source Software
In a recent post, Storm himself urged the community to rally behind him. He stressed the importance of standing up for privacy as a fundamental human right. “They argued that writing code is a crime. They compared privacy tools to money laundering. But we know the truth: Privacy is a human right. Math is not a crime,” Storm stated.
Storm’s fight is seen as pivotal for the future of open-source software, and he has called on supporters to write letters in his defense. This has sparked a wave of support within the community, as privacy advocates rally to show solidarity with Storm and the broader cause of privacy in the digital age.
The legal case continues to raise critical questions about privacy and the role of developers in creating tools that protect it. The crypto community is closely watching this case, knowing that its outcome could have lasting implications for the future of open-source software development and the protection of individual rights in the digital space.
Ethereum’s Role as Digital Infrastructure and a Model for Privacy Tools
Beyond his support for Storm, Buterin’s recent comments about Ethereum position the blockchain network as a crucial piece of global digital infrastructure rather than a speculative asset. This perspective shifts the conversation from short-term price movements to the long-term utility and potential of Ethereum as a foundational technology.
Buterin drew parallels between Ethereum’s design and BitTorrent, highlighting how the peer-to-peer network scaled globally without relying on centralized servers or ownership. Much like BitTorrent allows data to flow freely without intermediaries, Ethereum facilitates the transfer of value in a similar decentralized manner.
This design philosophy, which values permissionless systems, supports the broader principle of privacy in the digital world. By drawing this analogy, Buterin reinforces his stance that privacy-enhancing tools like Tornado Cash are vital for the digital economy, aligning them with the decentralized ethos that underpins Ethereum’s architecture.
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