A legal defense bolstered by the Ethereum Foundation and the Keyring network is raising money for Tornado Cash developers Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev as part of a new joint initiative to “pioneer open-source legal defense funding.”
The initiative, started on Thursday, has raised over $22,000 as of Friday morning, according to its site. Protocol fees collected from the first two months from Keyring’s ZkVerified permissioned vaults will go toward the legal defense funds, according to a statement.
“This model ensures that the first users of a vault directly support the legal protection of privacy-focused developers,” the Ethereum Foundation said in the statement. “By linking the growth of new financial tools with the protection of the people who build them, Keyring demonstrates that communities can strengthen resilience while driving innovation forward.”
Storm was found guilty over the summer on a money transmitting charge, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict on money laundering and sanctions charges. A year earlier, Pertsev was sentenced to 64 months in prison by a Dutch court for facilitating $1.2 billion in money laundering through the crypto mixer between July 2019 and August 2022. Both are fighting for appeals.
Multiple crypto advocates have donated funds to legal defenses for both Storm and Pertsev. The Solana Policy Institute donated $500,000 in August and the Ethereum Foundation earlier pledged $500,000 for Storm’s legal defense.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., prosecutors’ stance on software developers has since shifted under the Trump administration. Last week, Matthew J Galeotti, acting assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said that “writing code” is not a crime, and some crypto advocates hope that will be put into action.
Pertsev posted on X on Friday that the new initiative between Keyring and the Ethereum Foundation is a significant development.
“We still have a long way to go in this appeal as the Court has decided that an additional investigation has to be done,” Pertsev said. “We keep working towards justice and your help is invaluable to #CodeWithoutFear.”
© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
