JusticeDAO - Help us Defend Privacy Protocol Devs #FreeRomanStorm #FreeAlexPertsev

Defend the right to privacy in Web3

#FreeRomanStorm #FreeAlexPertsev

URGENT UPDATE: The U.S. government’s prosecution of Roman Storm, set to begin on April 14th, 2025, in SDNY, risks setting a dangerous precedent for open-source developers, free speech, and financial privacy in decentralized systems.On August 23, 2023, Roman Storm — the US-based co-founder of Tornado Cash — was arrested despite his ongoing cooperation with the US Department of Justice.This arrest happened almost exactly 1 year after the arrest of Alex Pertsev — another Tornado Cash co-founder — by the Dutch authorities, following the August 8, 2022, sanctions imposted against TC by the U. S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).The arrests of Roman Storm and Alex Pertsev are considered a direct attack on the open-source development space and may have devastating consequences for developers who write and publish code. This is why we need to act NOW to protect our right to code.

Thank you for your willingness to contribute to this important cause.

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Until the Second Trial

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Legal defense fund support 2026

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Who we are

We at JusticeDAO, Inc. («JusticeDAO») are on the frontlines of the defense effort in legal matters related to Tornado Cash. We have engaged an international team of legal counsel to represent the original TC protocol developers, specifically — Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm.

In order to ensure the necessary resources are available, we have made arrangements to receive donations from those who wish to contribute to the effort, including in cryptocurrency and fiat currency.

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Why is this so important?

Open source is not a crime

Timeline

Oct 20, 2026
Final pretrial conference
Final pretrial conference scheduled ahead of the upcoming retrial.
Apr 9, 2026
Acquittal hearing
Judge Failla heard oral arguments on Roman Storm’s motion for judgment of acquittal. A ruling remains pending.
Dec 12, 2025
Roman Storm’s legal team files a Reply to the Government’s Opposition to Motion for Acquittal
- Acquittal on All Counts: The government failed to prove venue in New York.
- No "Business": Tornado Cash was a non-custodial software tool, not a "money transmitting business," as the founders never had custody or control of user funds.
- Free Speech: The prosecution violates the First Amendment by attempting to criminalize the publication of code.
- No Service to Sanctioned Entities: Storm did not provide "services" to the Lazarus Group; he provided a tool (software) available to the public, which sanctioned entities misused without his coordination.
Nov 13, 2025
DOJ Response to Acquittal Motion
Prosecutors filed a 113-page brief opposing the acquittal motion and seeking to retry Roman on the deadlocked counts in 2026.
Oct 1, 2025
Post-Trial Motion for Acquittal Filed
Roman’s legal team filed a post-trial motion for acquittal, arguing the government relied on negligence rather than intent.
Aug 21, 2025
DOJ Criminal Division Statement
Matthew Galeotti, head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, stated developers lacking «ill-intent» shouldn’t face prosecution and that merely writing code isn’t criminal.
Aug 6, 2025
Trial concludes with split verdict
The trial concluded with a split verdict. Roman was convicted on conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business, but the jury deadlocked on the two most serious charges: conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate sanctions.
Jul 14, 2025
Trial begins in Manhattan federal court
May 15, 2025
DOJ Drops Federal Registration Charge
The DOJ dropped its unlicensed money transmission theory (federal registration charge) but continued pursuing the case.
May 5, 2025
Separate SDNY Case Reveals FinCEN Officials' Views Contradict Prosecutors'
In a separate SDNY case involving a mixer, prosecutors belatedly disclosed that FinCEN officials stated that «FinCEN guidance has generally focused on custody of cryptocurrency in the question of determining whether an entity is acting as a [money transmitting business]» and where a protocol «does not take ‘custody’ of the cryptocurrency by possessing the private keys to any addresses where the cryptocurrency is stored, that would strongly suggest that [the protocol] is NOT acting as an MSB.» This is consistent with Roman’s understanding and that of the industry and undermines the SDNY’s position that custody or control is not required to act as a money transmitting business. Read more
Apr 7, 2025
DOJ Issues Memo re: "Ending Regulation By Prosecution"
The memo, issued by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, states that the DOJ «is not a digital assets regulator» and acknowledged that «the Biden Administration created a particularly uncertain regulatory environment around digital assets.» Per the memo, DOJ «will no longer target virtual currency exchanges, mixing and tumbling services, and offline wallets for the acts of their end users or unwitting violations of regulations.» Nevertheless, the SDNY prosecutors are still pursuing their case against Roman.
Mar 21, 2025
Tornado Cash sanctions removed
Treasury Department lifts Biden-era sanctions on Tornado Cash, following the Van Loon appellate court ruling that deemed the sanctions an overreach of government authority. Read more
Feb 19, 2025
Roman’s motion for reconsideration is denied by the district court
The district court denies Roman’s motion to reconsider, stating that «Van Loon does not require dismissal because it does not bear on the charged conduct.
Jan 29, 2025
EFF files amicus brief in support of Roman
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) files an amicus brief supporting Roman Storm’s motion to reconsider the denied motion to dismiss in light of the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Van Loon.
Dec 18, 2024
Roman files motion to reconsider dismissal
Relying on the Fifth Circuit’s findings in Van Loon that Tornado Cash is an immutable set of smart contracts, Roman’s defense team files a motion to reconsider the denial of his prior motion to dismiss the criminal charges.
Nov 26, 2024
Van Loon plaintiffs win their appeal
Van Loon plaintiffs succeed in their appeal. The Fifth Circuit rules that OFAC exceeded its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash’s immutable smart contracts.
Sep 26, 2024
The district court denies Roman’s motion to dismiss
The district court denies Roman’s motion to dismiss, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
Apr 5, 2024
Amicus briefs filed in support of Roman
Amicus briefs are filed by the DeFi Education Fund, Coin Center, and Blockchain Association in support of Roman’s motion to dismiss the charges against him.
Mar 29, 2024
Roman files motion to dismiss charges
Roman Storm files a motion to dismiss the charges against him, arguing that the government’s theories of liability fail to allege violations of the relevant criminal statutes.
Oct 30, 2023
Coin Center loses lawsuit
Coin Center loses its lawsuit against the Department of Treasury over sanctions on Tornado Cash.
Sep 20, 2023
Van Loon plaintiffs file an appeal
The plaintiffs in Van Loon files an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, challenging the district court’s decision
Aug 23, 2023
Roman arrested
Roman is arrested by armed FBI agents executing a search warrant on his home in Washington at 6am, handcuffing him in front of his 3-year old daughter. He is charged with three counts of conspiracy. The case is assigned to Judge Katherine Polk Failla of the Southern District of New York.
Aug 17, 2023
District Court rules against plaintiffs in Van Loon
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas rules against the plaintiffs in Van Loon, siding with the Department of the Treasury and upholding the sanctions on Tornado Cash.
Nov 2022
Roman Storm voluntarily speaks with government authorities
Roman voluntarily gives an interview with the DOJ, FBI, and IRS-CI.
Oct 12, 2022
Coin Center sues to challenge Tornado Cash sanctions
Coin Center sues the Department of Treasury challenging the imposition of sanctions on the Tornado Cash protocol, alleging that OFAC «exceeded its statutory authority» in sanctioning Tornado Cash (Coin Center v. Yellen).
Sep 8, 2022
Plaintiffs file lawsuit challenging Tornado Cash sanctions
A group of plaintiffs who have utilized Tornado Cash for legitimate purposes files a lawsuit against the Department of Treasury and OFAC over the designation of Tornado Cash by OFAC (Van Loon v. Dep’t of Treasury).
Aug 8, 2022
OFAC sanctions Tornado Cash
OFAC sanctions Tornado Cash, citing alleged use by North Korean Lazarus Group and other illicit actors actors

How can I help?

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If you would like to make a contribution towards our cause in defending the right to privacy and the right to publish code, please donate here. Any funds remaining after the payment of all attorneys’ fees and costs will be used to fund initiatives advocating for the right to privacy in Web3.

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If you believe in defending privacy rights and the freedom to publish code, please share this message. By tweeting about our cause, you help amplify the fight for privacy and open-source innovation in Web3. Together, we can make a difference. #FreeRomanStorm #FreeAlexPertsev #DefendPrivacy

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Community feedback

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𝒜𝓇𝒾𝓈 🖋@ArisvdZ

Just signed this petition to #FreeAlekseyPertsev.

What is really disturbing in this story is that there is no clear charges by the @FIOD

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/Rx84qwd8 from @Change

rdm41@RDM_41

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - ¡Firma la petición! https://chng.it/B2fwyJSH vía @ChangeorgLatino

Lex@lexmartin101

Open-source development is in danger. Take action before it’s too late! #OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/kC4466mG via @Change

bloXmove harry@HBloxmove

I stay out of politics. But arresting someone for writing open source code which enhances privacy is a step towards though control #OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev” - Jetzt unterschreiben! https://chng.it/SLDTNTwW via @ChangeGER

Игорь Престолов@nepsse

Теперь сажают за открытый код, который использовали третьи лица. Свобода и демократия от США и Голландии.#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/4bfVMWNR через @Change

bill@bill0x2a

Open-source devs should never be be prosecuted simply for the potential misuse of their code, and it won‘t stop here. #OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev

n4n0 (ultraviolent to infradead)@n4n084191635

Oh hey look, this sounds like a perfectly fine and legal usecase for @TornadoCash: not getting mugged. Wow. #FreeAlex #FreePertsev #OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime

TheBlackWolfPack@TheBlackWolfPa1

Weit haben wir es gebracht... jetzt sperrt man schon Leute dafür ein was Andere mit einem Stück quelloffener Software tun!

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Jetzt unterschreiben! https://chng.it/w4XMYq55 via @Change

Marc Jansen@jansen_marc

Guys, this is really important!

„Open-source development is in danger. Take action before it‘s too late! #OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev” - Jetzt unterschreiben! https://chng.it/q7QqKBVt via @ChangeGER

pino7 ᵍᵐ@pinoweb3

I signed

If you are in Amsterdam the 20th there will be a protest in Dam Square
#TornadoCash
#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev

Jelly@0xJelly

Open-source developers should not be jailed for building a public good. If you agree, sign this petition for Aleksey Pertsev!
#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/jK48SbB2 via @UKChange

Klaudy.eth 🦇🔊 🛡️@KristinaKlaudy1

Open-source developer was arrested for writting a code (not even executing it) for Tornadocash.

Writting shouldn‘t be elegal!

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/cMY7pKVY @Change

Livster 🌊🏆@0xLivster

A developer has been arrested for writing open-source code. At the base level, someone has been incriminated for writing and publishing. This is a threat to all of us.
#FreeAlex #PrivacyNotACrime
#FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition: https://chng.it/vmFMBv7c via @Change

Yezz123@THyasser1

Open-source development is in danger. Take action before it‘s too late!
#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/rWQ4VPP4 via @Change

Alex Karengin (art_alternator)@AAlternator

I think, this is really important. Open-source development is in danger.
#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition!

stango.lens🦇🔊 0085.stark@S3rumTruth

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/WwxFXwYT via @Change

rdm41@RDM_41

Ethereum Fear and Greed Index@EthereumFear

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev

𝒜𝓇𝒾𝓈 🖋@ArisvdZ

rdm41@RDM_41

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - ¡Firma la petición! https://chng.it/B2fwyJSH vía @ChangeorgLatino

Lex@lexmartin101

bloXmove harry@HBloxmove

Игорь Престолов@nepsse

bill@bill0x2a

n4n0 (ultraviolent to infradead)@n4n084191635

Oh hey look, this sounds like a perfectly fine and legal usecase for @TornadoCash: not getting mugged. Wow. #FreeAlex #FreePertsev #OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime

TheBlackWolfPack@TheBlackWolfPa1

Marc Jansen@jansen_marc

pino7 ᵍᵐ@pinoweb3

I signed

If you are in Amsterdam the 20th there will be a protest in Dam Square
#TornadoCash
#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev

Jelly@0xJelly

Klaudy.eth 🦇🔊 🛡️@KristinaKlaudy1

Livster 🌊🏆@0xLivster

Yezz123@THyasser1

Alex Karengin (art_alternator)@AAlternator

I think, this is really important. Open-source development is in danger.
#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition!

stango.lens🦇🔊 0085.stark@S3rumTruth

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/WwxFXwYT via @Change

rdm41@RDM_41

Ethereum Fear and Greed Index@EthereumFear

#OpenSourceNotACrime #PrivacyNotACrime #FreeAlex #freepertsev #FreeAlekseyPertsev

Defend the rightto privacy in Web3

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Tornado Cash is an open-source decentralized protocol that enhances privacy for cryptocurrencies on the Ethereum blockchain. The service makes it possible for users to transfer digital assets from one account to another without recording an obvious link between accounts on the public blockchain. Tornado Cash receives various transactions and adds an extra layer of privacy protection before transmitting them to their individual recipients. Tornado’s purpose is to bring privacy to the blockchain.

All information about transactions in the blockchain network is available to any user. Imagine if everyone could look into any bank account in the world and see all bank transfers. How much does your neighbor earn? Or a work colleague. People prefer not to disclose personal data and especially how much money they keep in bank accounts. The business is not ready to share information on what amounts of transactions are concluded. Also, for personal or socio-political reasons, it may be essential to remain anonymous if you want to send a donation. For example, the co-founders of Ethereum Vitaly Buterin used Tornado Cash for donations for the needs of Ukraine. But in the blockchain network, all this is impossible, every payment can be tracked. Therefore, Tornado Cash was developed to ensure the privacy of transactions.

TC is an open source software program that uses smart contracts and a cryptographic method known as zero-knowledge proof to enable users to conduct private transactions on the blockchain. This is the first time that OFAC has attempted to treat software code like an entity or person that can be sanctioned. This has raised a number of legal issues that are the subject of ongoing debate.

The OFAC’s designation of Tornado Cash as a «sanctioned entity» in 2022 has since resulted in several lawsuits filed against OFAC on behalf of Coinbase employees and others, challenging the sanctions on a number of grounds (Van Loon, et al v. Treasury). Coinbase has since taken the case to appellate court, and a number of advocacy groups, such as the Blockchain Association, have supported the action by filing amicus briefsin the Fifth Circuit.

Additionally, Coin Center sued OFAC over its TC sanctions in 2022, claiming " the agency exceeded its statutory authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash" (Coin Center, et al v. Secretary, U. S. Department of the Treasury, et al). On November 7, 2023, Coin Center also filed an appeal in the U. S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

Roman Storm was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (max sentence of 20 years in prison), one count of conspiracy to Operate an Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business (max sentence of 5 years in prison), and one count of conspiracy to violate the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (max sentence of 20 years in prison). More info on the charges and defense costs here.

Alexey was arrested on August 10, 2022, which was 2 days after the US OFAC sanctioned Tornado Cash. He spent 8 months in prison before being released on bail in April 2023. His trial took place on March 26, 2024. On May 14, 2024, Alexey Pertsev was found guilty of money laundering by a Dutch court and received a maximum sentence of 64 months in prison. He is now appealing the court’s decision and accepting donations via WeWantJusticeDAO.org and juicebox.money.

Defend the right to privacy in Web3

#FreeRomanStorm #FreeAlexPertsev

Until the Second Trial

Legal defense fund support 2026

Who we are

Why is this so important?

Open source is not a crime

Timeline

Final pretrial conference

Acquittal hearing

Roman Storm’s legal team files a Reply to the Government’s Opposition to Motion for Acquittal

DOJ Response to Acquittal Motion

Post-Trial Motion for Acquittal Filed

DOJ Criminal Division Statement

Trial concludes with split verdict

Trial begins in Manhattan federal court

DOJ Drops Federal Registration Charge

Separate SDNY Case Reveals FinCEN Officials' Views Contradict Prosecutors'

DOJ Issues Memo re: "Ending Regulation By Prosecution"

Tornado Cash sanctions removed

Roman’s motion for reconsideration is denied by the district court

EFF files amicus brief in support of Roman

Roman files motion to reconsider dismissal

Van Loon plaintiffs win their appeal

The district court denies Roman’s motion to dismiss

Amicus briefs filed in support of Roman

Roman files motion to dismiss charges

Coin Center loses lawsuit

Van Loon plaintiffs file an appeal

Roman arrested

District Court rules against plaintiffs in Van Loon

Roman Storm voluntarily speaks with government authorities

Coin Center sues to challenge Tornado Cash sanctions

Plaintiffs file lawsuit challenging Tornado Cash sanctions

OFAC sanctions Tornado Cash

How can I help?

Make a donation

Make a post

Defend the right to privacy in Web3

Community feedback

Defend the rightto privacy in Web3

Havequestions?

What is Tornado Cash?

Why are privacy payments essential?

What is open-source software?

Why is this case so important?

What are the charges against Roman Storm?

What are the charges against Alexey Pertsev?

When was Roman Storm arrested and when will the trial begin?

When was Alexey Pertsev arrested and what is his current status?

Which law firms represent the defendants?

Where can I get updates about the 2 cases and upcoming trials?

#FreeRomanStorm #FreeAlexPertsev

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