GoFundMe Stops Tornado Cash Legal Fund
GoFundMe, a popular crowdfunding platform, recently terminated a fundraiser aimed at covering legal expenses for Roman Storm, one of the creators behind the controversial cryptocurrency mixer known as Tornado Cash, and its developer, Alexey Pertsev.
Storm had appealed to the community through a video on January 22, seeking financial support for their legal battle against U.S. authorities, who have accused them of enabling the evasion of U.S. sanctions.
Despite initial contributions from supporters, GoFundMe abruptly shut down the fundraiser on February 14, citing a violation of their terms of service.
This decision came as a surprise to many, including donors like Ryan Adams from Bankless Ventures, whose donations were refunded. Adams expressed his belief in the importance of decentralized financial systems in supporting civil liberties, such as the right to a fair trial.
The money we sent to @rstormsf was cancelled by @gofundme – they shut it down.
I thought this might happen but am still surprised.
Good thing we have an uncensorable money system so we can still fund civil liberties like the right to a fair trial.
Resending $10k with crypto. https://t.co/5Ud4ELiaK5 pic.twitter.com/glRXwtXPBw
— RYAN SΞAN ADAMS – rsa.eth 🦄 (@RyanSAdams) February 15, 2024
Before its cancellation, the GoFundMe campaign for Tornado Cash had managed to collect $30,000 in donations. Storm and Pertsev are now seeking alternative means of funding, turning to the cryptocurrency funding platform JuiceBox, where they have accumulated 316.75 ETH.
READ MORE: Japan Tightens Controls: Banks Urged to Monitor Crypto Transfers
This move by GoFundMe has sparked speculation within the Tornado Cash community, especially given the platform’s history of hosting similar campaigns without issue.
Meanwhile, Storm and Pertsev continue to face serious legal charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations, as well as operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Despite these accusations, they maintain their innocence and are currently out on bond, albeit with travel restrictions imposed in specific regions of the United States.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at CoinsPress
Alex is an experienced finance journalist and a cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiast. With over five years of experience covering the industry, he deeply understands the complex and constantly evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His passionate approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and insightful content. Follow up on his content to be up to date with the most important trends and topics - stay ahead of the curve with CoinsPress.
