Hey r/CryptoCurrency

We’re joining forces with r/ethtrader for a community-driven donation drive to support the legal defense of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash. This isn’t just about one developer — it’s about defending privacy, open-source development, and the very principles that make Ethereum and crypto possible.

Why This Matters

Roman is facing years in prison for publishing open-source privacy software — tools anyone could freely use. At the time, the only official guidance (from FinCEN) said developers of such software weren’t money transmitters. Yet in August 2023, U.S. authorities arrested him, charging conspiracy, unlicensed money transmission, and sanctions violations.

The DOJ’s narrative misrepresents the facts:

• Roman and his co-founder "never operated a service" — they only published code.
• They added filters in their web wallet code to block sanctioned addresses but couldn’t control forks of their software.
• The prosecution hinges on a "novel legal theory": that "money transmission" applies even without custody of funds.

This case sets a dangerous precedent: if developers can be punished for misuse of open-source code, innovation and privacy in crypto are at risk. The First Amendment protects code as speech — yet prosecutors treat it like an afterthought, even resorting to absurd analogies (comparing money transmission to "a frying pan conducting heat").

The Situation Now

Roman’s trial began July 14, 2025, in Manhattan. What was expected to last 2 weeks may now stretch 3-4, with skyrocketing costs for expert witnesses, research, and legal fees. The defense fund urgently needs "another $1.5M" to sustain the fight.

The Ethereum Foundation has stepped up with "$500K" and will "match community donations up to $750K" — doubling your impact.

How You Can Help

Visit https://freeromanstorm.com to donate. Options include:

• "Juicebox": ETH donations
• "Giveth": ETH, L2 tokens, SOL (no fees)
• "We Want Justice DAO": Fiat via wire
• "Free Roger Ver site": BTC, BCH, most L1s (no KYC)
• "Farcaster": Crypto contributions
• "Geyser Fund": BTC (incl. Lightning) and credit cards

Every contribution counts. Together, we can stand for privacy, open-source, and the rights of developers everywhere.

Questions? Drop them below. Share this post far and wide—we need the entire crypto community to rally.

• The r/CryptoCurrency Mod Team (in collaboration with r/ethtrader mod team)