Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has officially backed Tornado Cash cofounder Roman Storm, with the Ethereum Foundation now stepping in to support his legal defense. In a recent post on X, Buterin confirmed that the Foundation is matching community donations to help cover Storm’s legal fees, marking a strong show of support for privacy and innovation in crypto.
This move is a clear message that the Ethereum ecosystem is standing up for open-source developers.
Ethereum Foundation Steps In
Buterin revealed that the Ethereum Foundation is actively involved in raising funds for Storm, who’s currently facing charges in the U.S. These include money laundering and sanctions violations tied to Tornado Cash.
Tornado Cash, a crypto privacy protocol, came under fire in 2022 when the U.S. government sanctioned it for allegedly helping North Korea launder funds stolen in the Axie Infinity hack. Storm’s case has since become a major flashpoint, with many in the crypto world calling it a direct attack on open-source coding and financial privacy.
Time Is Ticking for Donations
According to Storm’s public notice, there are just 19 days left for supporters to donate toward his legal defense. With the Ethereum Foundation now matching contributions, the fundraising push could help him afford a top-tier legal team as the case heads to court.
For many in the Ethereum and DeFi communities, this case goes beyond one developer – it’s about protecting the right to build open, privacy-focused tools without fear of prosecution.
U.S. Sanctions Reversal Sparks New Hope
In a surprising development, the U.S. Treasury lifted sanctions on Tornado Cash in March 2025. The decision has been celebrated across the DeFi space as a win for decentralized finance and a possible shift in regulatory tone.
This reversal could potentially strengthen Storm’s case, and the Ethereum Foundation’s support arrives at just the right time. With public sentiment swinging and the legal tide possibly turning, Buterin’s efforts are helping keep momentum on Storm’s side.
What This Means for Crypto’s Future
The Ethereum Foundation’s backing of Roman Storm speaks to a broader mission – protecting decentralization, open-source code, and the freedom to innovate. With Buterin leading the charge and the community rallying behind Storm, the outcome of this case could set a major precedent for crypto developers worldwide.
As donations roll in and the legal battle heats up, one thing is clear: the crypto world is watching closely, and how this plays out could shape the future of blockchain innovation.
