Ethereum’s Tornado Cash Case Marks Major Win for Privacy and Smart Contracts

On November 28th, a pivotal ruling in the Tornado Cash case emerged from the courts, defining the immutable smart contract as not representing property. This landmark decision indicates that such contracts cannot face sanctions under existing legal frameworks, a development that privacy advocates are celebrating as a significant win. According to a recent report from 10X Research, the ruling empowers developers to innovate and deploy smart contract protocols without incurring fees or fearing regulatory backlash. Such clarity is particularly vital given Ethereum’s status as the leading platform in the decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape. Experts suggest that this outcome may foster a more vibrant ecosystem by allowing for greater experimentation within DeFi and related protocols. Notably, former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan emphasized the ruling’s implications, stating that it signals a triumph for privacy and smart contracts over regulatory constraints.