Tornado Cash Dev Alexey Pertsev Seeks Crucial Funding for Legal Appeal!

In Brief:

Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev seeks $750,000 to $1 million for his legal appeal, fighting charges of money laundering and sanctions violations.

The crypto community has shown support through JusticeDAO, raising substantial funds for Pertsev's defense, but additional resources are needed.

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Pertsev's Legal Battle Reaches Critical Juncture

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Alexey Pertsev, the developer behind Tornado Cash, is appealing for additional funding to support his legal battle for privacy rights and the freedom to publish code.

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Arrested two years ago, Pertsev faces a formidable legal challenge against government forces with extensive resources aimed at his prosecution.

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The support account for Pertsev and Roman Storm has emphasized the urgent need for between $750,000 and $1 million to cover ongoing legal expenses.

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Crypto Community Rallies Support

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The crypto community has shown significant support for Pertsev and his co-developer Storm, both charged with money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

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JusticeDAO, an advocacy group, has raised over 654 Ether, approximately $2.3 million, through a fundraiser on the decentralized platform Juicebox.

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Despite these efforts, the financial demands of Pertsev's legal battle remain immense.

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Challenges in Pertsev's Defense

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Pertsev's legal situation is further complicated by his continued incarceration and the denial of access to a computer for preparing his appeal.

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He was found guilty of money laundering by the ‘s-Hertogenbosch Court of Appeal in the Netherlands, receiving a sentence of five years and four months.

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The court's decision was based on allegations of laundering $1.2 billion through Tornado Cash.

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Pertsev argues that he should not be held liable for the actions of individuals misusing the protocol, but the court dismissed this defense.