Buterin publicly backs Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm ahead of sentencing

Beincrypto reports Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly backed Tornado Cash lead developer Roman Storm ahead of Storm’s upcoming sentencing, reposting a personal letter that argues privacy tools are essential protections rather than inherently criminal technologies. Buterin attached the letter and wrote, “Done.

Re-posting the contents for public consumption,” and an excerpt read, “In the 21st century… Being able to choose with whom we share information… is an essential protection.” He said he has used Tornado Cash for anonymous software purchases and donations to human rights organizations.

Storm was convicted in August 2025 of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business; he faces up to five years in prison and fines of $250,000 or twice the value of the illicit funds. A jury deadlocked on money laundering and sanctions-related charges, yielding a partial acquittal, and Judge Katherine Polk Failla denied pre-sentencing detention citing his compliance and low flight risk.

Key Topics

Crypto, Vitalik Buterin, Roman Storm, Tornado Cash, Ethereum Foundation, Keyring Network