Ethereum Donors and $5.5M Defense Fund May Increase Legal Support for Roman Storm

• Nearly $5.5M raised for Roman Storm defense fund

• Major pledges include $500,000 from the Solana Policy Institute and donations from the Ethereum community.

• High-profile donors and organizations cite developer liability and privacy implications for open-source projects.

Roman Storm defense fund leads community donations to $5.5M; donate or follow updates for legal support and appeal news. Read more from COINOTAG.

What is the Roman Storm defense fund?

Roman Storm defense fund is a community-backed legal defense effort raising money to cover post-trial motions and appeals for Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm. The fund has amassed roughly $5.5 million through individual donors, crypto organizations, and high-profile supporters to finance ongoing legal costs.

How much has the community raised and who donated?

The fund reports nearly $5.5 million in donations, approximately $1.5 million short of its stated goal. The Solana Policy Institute pledged $500,000 to support Storm and to assist Alexey Pertsev’s appeal. The Ethereum Foundation has pledged matching grants and has previously donated substantial sums. Individual donors, DAOs and firms such as Paradigm and known figures in the ecosystem contributed large sums.

Through community fundraising, the free Roman Storm defense fund has raised nearly $5.5 million to aid with his legal defense.

The Solana Policy Institute, a nonprofit Solana advocacy group, has pledged $500,000 toward the legal defense of Tornado Cash co-founders Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev, adding to growing financial support from the crypto community.

Storm was found guilty of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business on Aug. 6, while Pertsev was found guilty in 2024 of money laundering in connection with developing Tornado Cash, a protocol allowing users to mask the origin and destination of cryptocurrency.

The Solana Policy Institute said in a statement on Thursday that its $500,000 donation will help Storm (who is in post-trial motions seeking to overturn his conviction) and assist Pertsev’s appeal.

Through community fundraising, the free Roman Storm defense fund shows that it has raised $5.5 million to aid with his legal defense, about $1.5 million away from its goal.

Why are Ethereum and other community members donating?

Supporters argue that prosecuting developers for tools others misuse sets a dangerous precedent. High-profile contributors view these cases as affecting open-source liability, developer risk, and privacy protections on blockchain networks.

In July, Storm requested $1.5 million to cover mounting legal costs. Ethereum core developer Federico Carrone pledged $500,000 after his own detention related to an Ethereum privacy protocol. The Ethereum Foundation has matched and pledged additional funds. Vitalik Buterin donated a total of 150 Ether, valued at over $673,000 at current prices.

Who else has contributed and how much?

Notable contributions include:

• Paradigm: $1.25 million pledged earlier in the year.
• Ethereum Foundation: multiple matching and direct donations totaling over $500,000 to date, with additional matching commitments.
• Individuals and DAOs: donations from developers, DAOs and project founders, including 50 Ether from the Golem founder and contributions from Meta Cartel DAO-related participants.

How does Storm’s conviction affect developers and privacy?

Legal experts and industry groups warn the convictions may change how developers approach open-source projects. The argument from supporters is that holding creators liable for third-party misuse of neutral code could chill innovation and privacy-focused development.

The Solana Policy Institute stated the convictions rest on a misunderstanding of blockchain mechanics. They said the government’s logic effectively treats open-source authors as responsible for misuse even without ongoing control over the code.

Industry lobby groups have echoed concerns, saying the rulings risk discouraging neutral tool development and weaken privacy protections in crypto.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much more does the fund need to reach its goal?

The defense fund is roughly $1.5 million short of its stated goal. Ongoing donations, matching pledges and institutional support aim to close the gap as appeals and legal motions continue.

Can donating affect my privacy or legal exposure?

Donating to a public legal defense fund generally carries minimal legal risk for donors, but contributors should verify fund governance and consult legal counsel if concerned. Use transparent channels and retain records of contributions.

Key Takeaways

• Community funding matters: Nearly $5.5M raised demonstrates strong industry backing for legal defense in developer prosecutions.
• Major pledges: Institutional and individual donations—Solana Policy Institute, Ethereum Foundation, Paradigm—underscore policy and privacy concerns.
• Broader implications: The case may reshape open-source developer risk assessments and has prompted calls for clearer legal standards on tool liability.

Conclusion

The Roman Storm defense fund’s progress—now about $5.5 million—highlights a community response that blends financial support with a policy debate over developer liability and privacy. COINOTAG will continue to report verified updates and donation developments as appeals proceed. Follow official fund statements and COINOTAG coverage for ongoing details.