Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin has donated another 100 Ether, worth around $240,000, to Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm’s legal defense fund. This is Buterin’s third donation to the cause. According to the Defend Roman Storm crowdfunding page, the developer’s defense fund has raised a total of 327 ETH (around $785,000).

On September 26, 2024, US Judge Katherine Failla denied Storm’s motion to dismiss the case and ordered the case to proceed. Storm denied all charges and maintained that Tornado Cash is open-source software.

If convicted on all charges, Storm could face up to 45 years in prison. This has sparked a huge outpouring of support from the crypto community. In June 2024, JusticeDAO created a defense fund for the Tornado Cash developers and raised 654 ETH.

Despite OFAC sanctions, deposits into the Tornado Cash blender reached nearly $1.9 billion in the first half of 2024. This represents a 50% increase from the previous year. What do you think of these developments? We look forward to your comments.