DeFi Education Fund Urges Trump to Drop Tornado Cash Case
The DeFi Education Fund (DEF), a prominent crypto advocacy group, is calling on former President Donald Trump to intervene in the ongoing prosecution of open-source developers, specifically Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash. DEF argues that charging developers like Storm for merely writing code threatens both innovation and the principle of free speech.
Defending Developers' Rights
Roman Storm faces legal action from U.S. authorities who allege that Tornado Cash facilitated money laundering. However, DEF insists that developing open-source tools should not be equated with criminal activity unless malicious intent is clearly demonstrated. The organization warns that such legal crackdowns could deter skilled developers from contributing to the crypto and blockchain space.
Safeguarding Open-Source Innovation
DEF’s plea to Trump is part of a broader campaign to protect open-source innovation in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The group emphasizes that safeguarding developers is essential for preserving America’s edge in global tech innovation.
Crypto’s Role in the 2024 Election
As Trump positions himself for the 2024 presidential race, his approach to crypto-related issues could influence tech-forward voters. Supporting figures like Storm may allow Trump to position himself as a champion of innovation, free speech, and the entrepreneurial spirit.
The crypto world is now closely watching to see if Trump will respond to DEF’s appeal and take a stance in defense of open-source development.