Ethereum Foundation Donates $500k to Roman Storm Ahead of Next Month’s Trial
The Ethereum Basis (EF) has donated $500k in the direction of the authorized protection of Roman Storm, a co-founder of Twister Money, who was charged by america. The EF argued that Storm shouldn’t be criminalized for advocating for privateness by means of writing a mere pc code.
Notably, america Workplace of International Belongings Management (OFAC) lifted its sanctions in opposition to Twister Money on March 21, 2025, following a authorized reversal by the Fifth Circuit Courtroom of Appeals. Nevertheless, the costs in opposition to Storm weren’t dropped and the trial is at present scheduled for July 14, 2025.
As Coinpedia beforehand reported, Storm is combating three important costs, together with conspiracy to commit cash laundering, working an unlicensed money-transmitting enterprise, and violating the Worldwide Financial Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA).
Ethereum Basis Fights for DeFi Freedom
The case in opposition to Storm, which is estimated to value $2 million in legal fees till the trial subsequent month, has attracted vital consideration within the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) house. In line with the EF, the assault on Storm for growing Twister Money is a direct assault on fundamental human rights on privateness.
With the DeFi ecosystem searching for to override conventional monetary methods, the trial on Storm will probably be essential to the long run progress prospects for the cryptocurrency market. Moreover, nations have been pushing to manage the cryptocurrency market to retain their conventional powers, which have been debunked by the immense adoption of Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader altcoin market.
“The DOJ needs to bury DeFi, saying I ought to’ve managed it, added KYC, by no means constructed it. SDNY is attempting to crush me, blocking each professional witness. If I lose, DeFi dies with me. The dream of economic freedom, the code I believed in—all of it fades into darkness. I’m combating, however the weight is insufferable. This isn’t simply my finish; it’s ours,” Storm noted.
