According to Cointelegraph, Ethereum core developer Federico Carrone, known as “Fede’s Intern” on X, has been released after being detained in Turkey for 24 hours. The detention was reportedly due to alleged connections to an Ethereum privacy protocol. Carrone announced his release on X, expressing relief and gratitude for the support he received, which facilitated his release. Turkish authorities, specifically the Minister of Internal Affairs, accused Carrone of aiding others in misusing Ethereum, allegedly linked to a privacy protocol. Carrone believes this accusation is connected to a January 2022 research paper that examined user privacy on Ethereum and Tornado Cash. He emphasized that the research was purely academic, focusing on mixers and their properties, and denied any involvement in illegal activities.
This incident highlights a growing concern regarding the arrest and detention of crypto developers associated with open-source privacy protocols. Notably, Tornado Cash co-creators Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm are involved in a high-profile trial in New York, which could set a precedent for criminalizing open-source privacy tools in the United States. Such legal actions pose significant risks to decentralized finance innovation and could severely limit privacy rights. Following his release, Carrone has relocated to Europe. He recounted the initial uncertainty of his situation, including the threat of losing communication access. However, support from friends across the UAE, UK, US, Europe, Argentina, and even the Catholic Church played a crucial role in securing his freedom. Members of the Solana ecosystem also offered assistance. Carrone expressed deep gratitude for the support he received and hopes to reciprocate in the future.
Despite his release, Carrone's case remains unresolved. His Turkish attorney continues to work on the defense, and Carrone is committed to clarifying the situation. He stated that if necessary, he would return to Turkey to clear his name and defend himself. In a show of solidarity, Carrone has donated $500,000 worth of Ether (ETH) to support Roman Storm’s legal defense. He emphasized the importance of supporting builders in the crypto community, ensuring they can innovate without fear of legal repercussions. Carrone's experience underscores the challenges faced by developers in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation and privacy.
