GoFundMe Suspends Legal Funding for Tornado Cash Founders

American crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has terminated the fundraising campaign aimed at securing legal defense funds for Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev, co-founder and developer of the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash.

The campaign, initiated in response to a heartfelt appeal by Storm in a Jan. 22 video, sought financial support for their legal battle against charges levied by U.S. authorities. These charges allege that Tornado Cash facilitated sanction evasion through its services.

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Fundraiser Cut Short: Violation of Terms of Service Cited

GoFundMe pointed to a violation of their terms of service, specifically citing concerns about potential exposure to harm or liability. 

Donors, including Ryan Adams of Bankless Ventures, have been promised refunds, as GoFundMe promises to process them within three to seven business days. Adams, recognizing the significance of uncensorable financial support for civil liberties, has committed to redirecting his $10,000 donation back to Storm via cryptocurrency. 

This move has raised eyebrows within the community, prompting comparisons to previous GoFundMe campaigns that were allowed to continue. There are now questions about the platform's policy enforcement consistency.

The cancellation has left Storm and Pertsev in a precarious position as they strive to amass $1.5 million for their legal defense in the United States.

The duo has shifted their fundraising efforts to the crypto funding platform JuiceBox, where they have already collected 316.75 Ether. 

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Criminal Charges and Government Ban

Tornado Cash co-founders Roman Semenov and Roman Storm were indicted in August for alleged involvement with a North Korean hacking group linked to the government. The charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations, were brought one year after the U.S. Treasury banned Tornado Cash, alleging its support for North Korea.

However, later prominent personalities including NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden have voiced their support for Storm. In a social media post, Snowden emphasized the importance of privacy and fair legal defense. This endorsement carries weight given Snowden's longstanding advocacy for privacy rights, bringing heightened attention to the case.