Vitalik Buterin Stands by Tornado Cash Developer, Calls Privacy a Core Human Right
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly come to the defense of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, arguing that software built to protect privacy should not be treated as criminal simply because it can be misused.
In a public statement, Buterin said privacy-preserving tools are not optional features of modern life but essential protections that allow people to function safely in an increasingly digital world. He confirmed that he has personally used privacy tools created by Storm and described them as legitimate safeguards rather than instruments of wrongdoing.
Why Buterin Says Privacy Is Non-Negotiable
Buterin framed privacy as a basic human right that has grown more important as technology expands its reach into everyday life. Without control over personal data, he warned, individuals become vulnerable to social pressure, financial manipulation, and even physical harm.
He argued that the ability to choose who can see personal communications, financial activity, and location data is central to maintaining freedom. In his view, privacy should not disappear simply because information moves through digital systems.
Buterin also rejected the idea that privacy is acceptable only between individuals while governments and institutions retain unlimited visibility. Centralized access to sensitive data, he said, creates systemic risk rather than safety.
The Tornado Cash Case That Sparked a Global Debate
Tornado Cash, a crypto mixing service designed to obscure transaction histories, became a focal point in global crypto regulation after being linked to illicit activity. US authorities sanctioned the platform in 2022, citing its use by criminal groups to launder stolen digital assets.
The sanctions barred Americans from using the service, though those restrictions were lifted in early 2025. Despite that reversal, legal proceedings against developers continued.
Storm was charged in 2023 on multiple counts tied to money transmission and sanctions violations. In 2025, a jury convicted him on one charge related to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, while failing to reach verdicts on other counts.
Storm has not yet been sentenced and is currently seeking relief from the courts. Prosecutors have opposed his motion, leaving him exposed to the possibility of prison time.
A Defining Moment for Open-Source Developers
The case has become far bigger than one developer or one protocol. Across the technology and crypto communities, it is widely viewed as a test of whether open-source developers can be held criminally responsible for how their code is used by others.
Buterin warned that such a precedent would have chilling effects across software development. Tools, he argued, are neutral by nature. Responsibility lies with those who commit crimes, not with those who write general-purpose code.
Concerns About Surveillance and Data Misuse
Buterin also pushed back against the assumption that broad government access to data guarantees public safety. He warned that centralized databases are frequent targets for hacks and leaks, often exposing sensitive information to hostile actors.
He pointed out that governments frequently rely on private contractors and data brokers, increasing the risk of abuse. In many cases, personal data such as location information is sold without meaningful consent and can end up in the hands of foreign adversaries.
From this perspective, privacy tools serve as protection against systemic failure rather than obstacles to law enforcement.
Broader Legal Fallout and Community Response
Another Tornado Cash developer, Alexey Pertsev, was previously convicted in Europe on charges related to laundering illicit funds through the mixer. He has since been released to house arrest while appealing his sentence.
The Ethereum Foundation pledged significant funding toward Pertsev’s legal defense, reflecting growing concern within the Ethereum community over how privacy-focused development is being treated by regulators and courts.
Why This Issue Extends Beyond Crypto
For Buterin, the debate is not about defending criminal behavior. It is about preserving foundational rights that allow culture, politics, and free expression to function without constant surveillance or coercion.
He argued that protections once taken for granted must be actively defended as society moves deeper into a digital future.
Conclusion
Vitalik Buterin’s defense of Roman Storm highlights a widening divide between regulators and technologists over privacy, responsibility, and the limits of criminal liability. What began as a case about a crypto mixer has evolved into a defining moment for open-source software and digital rights.
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