Tornado Cash Developer Alexey Pertsev Seeks Funding to Continue Legal Struggle

The legal struggle of Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev has reached a critical point as he seeks new funding to continue his defense.

Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev is facing a critical legal juncture as he seeks fresh funding to continue his defense in a high-stakes case.

Pertsev, who has been detained for two years, is mounting a formidable challenge against well-funded government prosecutors. His support team has disclosed that his funds have been depleted and highlighted an immediate need for $750,000 to $1 million to cover mounting legal costs.

The crypto community has rallied behind Pertsev and his co-developer, Roman Storm, both of whom are facing serious charges such as money laundering and sanctions violations.

1/ Defend Alexey Pertsev

It has been exactly 2 years since @alex_pertsev‘s arrest and he has run out of funds to defend our right to privacy and to publish code. It’s time to take a stand with Alexey and fight for what’s right. https://t.co/McVJHfXNXW

— Free Pertsev & Storm (@FreeAlexeyRoman) August 10, 2024

JusticeDAO, a collective formed to support their legal battle, has raised over 654 ETH (around $2.3 million) through a Juicebox fundraiser. Additionally, another 70 ETH was collected, with detailed records showing that $1.39 million was spent on legal fees between December 2023 and May 2024.

Pertsev remains in custody after being denied bail, and his legal team is preparing to appeal his conviction for laundering $1.2 billion through Tornado Cash. The conviction, handed down by the ‘s-Hertogenbosch Court of Appeal in May, follows a previous denial of bail in November 2023 due to concerns about flight risk.

Despite Pertsev’s argument that he should not be held responsible for the illegal use of Tornado Cash, the court maintained that he could have taken further steps to prevent misuse of the protocol.