- Crypto industry leaders have expressed displeasure over the recent court’s decision in the Roman Storm case.
- Top Crypto firm, including the Etharium Foundation, are donating to offer storm legal aid as they are tested.
- Manhattan jury on Wednesday convicted the storm for operating an unlicensed money before postponing the case.
Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, has seen the support of leaders of the Crypto industry, when a manhattan jury on Wednesday convicted the operation of a business that broadcast money without a license.
Roman Storm Garner Support from Crypto industry, Atherium Foundation donates $ 500,000
The Crypto industry has ralled behind the Roman storm, criticized the DOJ for pushing the allegations and argued that the writing code is not a crime.
Industry leaders have contributed to the legal defense of the store, the Etharium Foundation has donated an additional $ 500,000 for the attempt.
“The Etrem Foundation has generously offered to match up to $ 500k in further donations to support Roman’s legal aid,” an X account is dedicated to supporting the case of the store posted on Friday.
The Etharium Foundation earlier donated $ 500,000 in the first June case and promised the community to match $ 750,000 at that time.
The co-founder of Tornado Cash was convicted on one of the three federal allegations. Manhattan Jury passed a convict on the storm for Count 2, claiming that he operated a business of an unlicensed money.
The jury failed to agree on the other two cases for the money laundering and violation of restrictions, but is allegedly planning to withdraw the storm on the allegations.
Amanda Tuminelly, Executive Director of Defa Fund, said in Wednesday’s X post, “It is not surprising that the jury may not agree on those two cases – DOJ made a ton of mistakes and should not return Roman on those allegations.”
Many industry leaders expressed that the co-founder of tornado cash should not be held responsible for the works of bad actors on the stage, especially since it was lacking money or control over money.
Solna founder Anatoli Yakovanko wrote in an X post on Wednesday, “The Roman Storm should not be prosecuted as a money transmitter. The only work done by his software and server is broadcasting user messages signed without any modification.”
Other Crypto community members also argue that the punishment pose a threat to privacy-focused technology and developers, with the ability to change the future of DEFI if it holds.
The storm is yet to face punishment on the case, but is allegedly ready to appeal for the current decision of the jury.
In 2023, federal authorities accused the storm of enabling more than $ 1 billion in illegal crypto transactions, allegedly involved in North Korea’s approved Lazarus Group. He was also accused of violating the restrictions of money transfer business and sanctions with an unlicensed unlicensed.
