GoFundMe Closes Tornado Cash Legal Defense Fund
American crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has canceled a fundraiser to collect legal fees for the founder of controversial cryptocurrency exchange Tornado Cash, Roman Storm, and developer Alexey Persev.
On January 22, Storm released a video calling for community members to make legal fees in a court battle with US officials for allegedly facilitating the passage of US sanctions.
2024 is the year that will define the rest of my life. I am truly afraid. But I also hope that this community will take care of him emotionally. Please donate to my legal defense. pic.twitter.com/0jeievSUxc
— Roman S (@rstormsf) January 22, 2024
When the Tornado Cash duo began accepting funds from fans, on February 14, GoFundMe canceled the fundraiser, citing a violation of their terms of service, specifically term 22. This indicates that the Tornado Fundraiser may “expose GoFundMe, its employees or users to any damages or liability” for collecting legal fees.
The money we sent to @rstormsf has been canceled by @gofundme – shut it down.
I thought this might be the case but it still surprises me.
Good thing we have an unscrupulous financial system so we can still fund civil liberties like fair trial.
Sending $10k in crypto again. pic.twitter.com/glRXwtXPBw
— RYAN SΞAN ADAMS — rsa.eth (@RyanSAdams) February 15, 2024
Many donors, according to Ryan Adams of Bankless Ventures, saw their donations bounced after the GoFundMe fundraiser was canceled. he said:
“Good thing we have an unregulated financial system so we can still fund civil liberties like fair trial.”
He pledged to send $10,000 of his first donation back to Storm using cryptocurrencies. GoFundMe guarantees that the funds will arrive in the donor's bank account within three to seven business days.
RELATED: Tornado Cash Founder Vows ‘Strong Defense' In US Criminal Court
While alive, Tornado Cash's GoFundMe had raised $30,000 in donations. Storm and Perceive aim to raise $1.5 million to fund legal fees in the United States. The duo relies on crypto funding platform JuiceBox, which currently has 316.75 Ether (ETH) raised.
But the Tornado Cash community is questioning GoFundMe's intention to cancel fundraisers, as the platform has allowed similar campaigns in the past.
Storm and Semenov were charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit sanctions violations and conspiracy to conduct an unauthorized money-transmitting business. However, they have pleaded not guilty to all charges related to money laundering and violating US sanctions. Storm is out of jail on a $2 million bond and is restricted from traveling outside certain states of New York, New Jersey, Washington and California.
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